Technology builds foreign language proficiency

Using new computer software developed at UW–Madison, foreign-language instructors are creating interactive online lessons that help students improve their listening comprehension, an important step to attaining advanced speaking ability in a language.

The software, called Multimedia LessonBuilder (MmLB), enables instructors to create customized online lessons based on digital video clips and other multimedia. The lessons integrate video and audio into a variety of learning activities, such as short-answer and multiple-choice exercises.

MmLB is the brainchild of Benjamin Rifkin, chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literature and director of the Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia.

It was produced as a collaborative effort between UW–Madison languages faculty and graduate students and the Division of Information Technology‘s Engage Program. Dianna Murphy, the associate director of the Language Institute, was project manager for MmLB and its sister software, the Multimedia Annotator.

“Advanced listening skills lead to advanced speaking skills for foreign-language students,” says Rifkin. “Our goal in developing MmLB was to give teachers an authoring tool for creating audiovisual, browser-based lessons that increase students’ listening proficiency.”

MmLB leads the instructor-author through simple steps to produce an interactive multimedia lesson. The video and audio impart some of the gestures, cultural cues and other messages that help students master a language.

The MmLB and Multimedia Annotator are available free of charge for UW System faculty and staff and for a nominal fee for instructors at other institutions.

Interested UW–Madison faculty should contact College of Letters and Science Learning Support Services at 262-1408. Others should visit the L&S Licensing Service.

The MmLB and the Multimedia Annotator are products of Engage, the Madison Initiative’s program for transforming teaching through technology. Engage is committed to creating innovative, open-source educational software with faculty and instructional staff at UW–Madison. To learn more, visit http://engage.wisc.edu/.