Feedback generation and linguistic knowledge in ‘SLIM’ automatic tutor

SLIM is a prototype interactive multimedia self-learning linguistic software for foreign language stu- dents at beginner-false beginner level. It allows students to work both in an autonomous self-direct- ed mode or in a way of programmed learning in which the process of self-instruction is pre-pro- grammed and monitored. In this latter mode it incorporates assessment and evaluation tools in order to behave as an automatic tutor. It is organized into three basic components: audiovisual materials; a linguistic database recording all language material in text format; the supervisor. Audiovisual mate- rials are partially taken from commercially available courses; the linguistic database is a highly sophisticated classification of all words and utterances of the course, both in written and spoken form, from all possible linguistic aspects. The supervisor is both an attractive, enjoyable and strong- ly pedagogically based software that allows the user to work on language materials. The most out- standing feature of SLIM is the use of speech analysis and recognition which is a fundamental aspect of all second language learning programmes. We also assume that a learning model can be repre- sented by a finite state automaton made up by a fixed number of possible states – corresponding to the macro and microlevels at which the student’s competence may be modelled – each one being internally constituted by the actual linguistic objects of knowledge of the language that make it up.