Encouraging advanced second language speakers to recognise their language difficulties: a personalised computer-based approach

Despite holding advanced language qualifications, many overseas students studying at English-speaking universities still have difficulties in formulating grammatically correct sentences. This article introduces an 'independent open learner model' for advanced second language speakers of English, which confronts students with the state of their knowledge in a personalised computer-based approach designed to prompt awareness of their own language rules and how these compare to the native speaker rules, for use in an independent learning context. As an illustration, we present an example in the area of modal verbs, with advanced Chinese speakers of English. Results suggest acceptance of the approach of receiving feedback on their language through an open learner model, with students initially exploring their own rules and then comparing their language to native speaker rules. We, therefore, recommend further research into this alternative method of promoting language awareness.