Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Semantic Discourse Processing and Tutoring Systems for Second Language Learning

  • Conference paper
Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Foreign Language Learning

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NATO ASI F,volume 80))

Abstract

A stratified model of discourse comprehension and production is presented and its implications for second language learning are discussed. A distinction is made between language-specific syntactic and semantic processing at the sentence level, and nonanguage-specific conceptual and semantic processing at the discourse level. Results from studies of discourse comprehension in bilinguals that support this distinction are described. A computer model of semantic processing of sentences and its application to intelligent tutoring systems for developing syntactic and semantic processing skills in a second language are discussed. The problem of developing proficiency in applying discourse level conceptual and semantic processing to texts in the second language is considered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Alderson, J. C.: Reading in a foreign language: A reading problem or a language problem? In: Reading in a foreign language. (J. C. Alderson & A. H. Urquhart, Eds.). New York, Longman 1984

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bernhardt, E.: Toward an information processing perspective in foreign language reading. Modern Language Journal, 68, 322–331 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bobrow, D., Kaplan, J., Norman, D., Thompson, H., & Winograd, T.: GUS: A frame-driven dialog system. Artificial Intelligence, 8, 155–173 (1977)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. Bobrow, D.G., & Winograd, T.: An overview of KRL, a knowledge representation language. Cognitive Science, 1, 3–46 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Burton, R.R., & Brown, J.S.: Towards a natural-language capability for computer-assisted instruction. In: Procedure for instructional systems development. (H. O’Niell, Ed.). New York: Academic Press 1979

    Google Scholar 

  6. Carrell, P. L.: Three components of background knowledge in reading comprehension. Language Learning, 33, 183–207 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Clarke, M. A.: The short circuit hypothesis of ESL reading: Or when language competence interferes with reading performance. Modern Language Journal, 64, 203–209 (1980

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cummins, J.: Linguistic interdependence and the educational development of bilingual children. Review of Educational Research, 49, 221–251 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Cziko, G. A.: Language competence and reading strategies: A comparison of first- and second- language oral reading errors. Language Learning, 30, 101–116 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Donin, J.: Reading comprehension in a second language. Manuscript in preparation 1991

    Google Scholar 

  11. Frederiksen, C. H.: Text comprehension in functional task domains. In: Learning to use literacy in educational settings. (D. Bloom, Ed.). Norwood, NJ: Ablex 1989

    Google Scholar 

  12. Frederiksen, C. H.: Cognitive models and discourse analysis. In: Written communication annual: An international survey of research and theory, vol. 1: Studying writing: Linguistic approaches. (C.R. Cooper & S. Greenbaum, Eds.). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage 1986

    Google Scholar 

  13. Frederiksen, C.H., & Donin, J.: Constructing multiple semantic representations in comprehending and producing discourse. In: Texts and text processing. (G. Denhière & J.-P. Rossi, Eds.). Amsterdam: North Holland 1990

    Google Scholar 

  14. Frederiksen, C.H., & Renaud, A.: Real time processing in comprehension of a procedural text. Manuscript submitted for publication 1991

    Google Scholar 

  15. Frederiksen, C.H., & Roy, M.: Effects of prior knowledge and linear vs. hierarchical topicalization structure on comprehension of procedural text. Paper presented at annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, May 31 1990

    Google Scholar 

  16. Frederiksen, C.H., Bracewell, R.J., Breuleux, A., & Renaud, A.: The cognitive representation and processing of discourse: Function and dysfunction. In: Discourse ability and brain damage: Theoretical and empirical perspectives. (Y. Joanette & H. Brownell, Eds.). New York: Springer-Verlag 1989

    Google Scholar 

  17. Frederiksen, C.H., & Décary, M.: Cognitive discourse analysis Xerox 1186, Version 1.0. Technical Manual, Laboratory of Applied Cognitive Science, McGill University, Montréal, Canada 1990

    Google Scholar 

  18. Frederiksen, C.H., Décary, M., & Emond, B.: CODA-X: A semantic parsing approach to natural language interpretation. Technical Report, Laboratory of Applied Cognitive Science, McGill University, Montréal, Canada 1990

    Google Scholar 

  19. Goyette, E.: Second-language text comprehension: Knowledge and text types. Unpublished master’s thesis, McGill University, Montréal 1991

    Google Scholar 

  20. Graesser, A.C., & Bower, G.H.: Inferences and text comprehension. New York: Academic Press 1990

    Google Scholar 

  21. Guenthner, F., Lehnmann, H., & Schönfeld, W.: A theory for the representation of knowledge. IBM Journal of Research and Development, 30(1), 39–56 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Hatch, E.: Discourse analysis and second language acquisition. In: Second language acquisition: A book of readings. (E. Hatch, Ed). Rowley,MA: Newbury House 1978

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hayes-Roth, B., & Thorndyke, B.W.: Integration of knowledge from text. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 18, 91–108 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Hoover, M.L., & Berdugo, G.: The processing of ambiguous sentences by bilinguals. Manuscript in preparation 1991

    Google Scholar 

  25. Jackendoff, R.: Semantics and cognition. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press 1983

    Google Scholar 

  26. Johnson-Laird, P.: Mental models. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press 1983

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kamp, H.: A theory of truth and semantic representation. In: Formal methods in the study of language. (J. A. G. Groenendijk, T. M. V. Janssen, & M. B. J. Stokhof, Ed.). Amsterdam: North Holland 1981

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kintsch, W.: The role of knowledge in discourse comprehension: A construction-integration model. Psychological Review, 95, 163–182 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Lambert, W.E.: Culture and language as factors in learning and education. In: Education of immigrant students. (A. Wolfgang, Ed.). Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education 1975

    Google Scholar 

  30. Larsen-Freeman, D.: Discourse analysis in second language research. Rowley, MA: Newbury House 1980

    Google Scholar 

  31. Lee, J. F.: On the use of recall task to measure L2 reading comprehension. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 8, 201–212 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. McLaughlin, B., Rossman, T., & McLeod, B.: Second-language learning: An information-processing perspective. Language Learning, 33, 135–158 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Nirenburg, S.: Machine translation: Theoretical and methodological issues. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press 1987

    Google Scholar 

  34. Nirenburg, S., Raskin, V., & Tucker, A.B.: The structure of interlingua in TRANSLATOR. In: Machine translation: Theoretical and methodological issues. (S. Nirenburg, Ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press 1987

    Google Scholar 

  35. Rahming, J., & Frederiksen, C.H.: A discourse processing approach to bilingualism and second language learning. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association. Montréal, Canada 1983

    Google Scholar 

  36. Sabah, G., & Rady, M.: A deterministic syntactic-semantic parser applied to French. Actes °8 IJCAI, Karlsruhe: 707–710 1983

    Google Scholar 

  37. Schank, R. C.: Dynamic memory: A theory of learning in computers and people. London: Cambridge University Press 1982

    Google Scholar 

  38. Silva, M., & Donin, J.: Nursing students’ comprehension of case files in their first and second language. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association, Boston 1990

    Google Scholar 

  39. Simmons, R. F., Burger, J. F., & Schwarcz, R. M.: A computational model of verbal understanding. AFIPS, 441–456 1968

    Google Scholar 

  40. Sowa, J.F.: Conceptual structures: Information processes in mind and machine. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley 1984

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  41. van Dijk, T., & Kintsch, W.: Strategies of discourse comprehension. New York: Academic Press 1983

    Google Scholar 

  42. Wolff, D.: Some assumptions about second language text comprehension. Studies in Second language Acquisition, 9, 307–326 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Woods, W.A.: Semantics and quantification in natural language question answering. In: Advances in computers, vol. 17. (M. Yovits, Ed.). New York: Academic Press 1978

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Cognitive Science, McGill University, 3700 McTavish St., H3A 1Y2, Montréal, Canada

    Carl H. Frederiksen, Janet Donin & Michael Hoover

  2. Recherches Neurox Inc., 1405 rue Bishop, Suite 100, H3G 2E4, Montréal, Canada

    Michel Décary

Authors
  1. Carl H. Frederiksen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Janet Donin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michel Décary
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Michael Hoover
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Technology, Vitro Corporation, Building 4, Room 1417H, 14000 Georgia Avenue, 20906-2972, Silver Spring, MD, USA

    Merryanna L. Swartz

  2. Department of Computer Science, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, EX4 4PT, Exeter, UK

    Masoud Yazdani

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Frederiksen, C.H., Donin, J., Décary, M., Hoover, M. (1992). Semantic Discourse Processing and Tutoring Systems for Second Language Learning. In: Swartz, M.L., Yazdani, M. (eds) Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Foreign Language Learning. NATO ASI Series, vol 80. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77202-3_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77202-3_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-77204-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-77202-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation