Applications of NLP techniques to computer-assisted authoring of test items for elementary Chinese

Abstract

We report an implemented environment for computer-assisted authoring of test items and provide a brief discussion about the applications of NLP techniques for computer assisted language learning. Test items can serve as a tool for language learners to examine their competence in the target language. We apply techniques for natural language processing to help teachers prepare test items for elementary Chinese. Teachers can then compile the test items to form test sheets for formal examinations on the Internet. Our system can record the results of the tests for post-test analysis of students’ achievements so that teachers can gain insight into the distributions over students’ competence levels and can adjust the teaching activities for the students who may need individualized care. At this moment, our system offers assistance for authoring test items for basic listening comprehension, cloze tests, incorrect-character identification, sentence reconstruction, and usage of measure words.