Dialogue-Based CALL: An Overview of Existing Research

Dialogue-based Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) covers applications and systems allowing a learner to practice the target language in a meaning-focused conversational activity with an automated agent. We first present a common definition for dialogue-based CALL, based on three features: dialogue as the activity unit, computer as the interlocutor and negotiation of outcome through open learner production. We then report on a systematic literature review we conducted on the main scientific databases which, after filtering, resulted in 138 relevant papers which were analyzed and coded. Results show a scattered research field, with four different disciplinary approaches. We conclude with observations regarding the remaining challenges and opportunities for Intelligent CALL (ICALL) research. [For full proceedings, see ED564162.]