Task effects on linguistic complexity and accuracy : a large-scale learner corpus analysis employing Natural Language Processing techniques

Alexopoulou, Theodora and Michel, Marije Cornelie and Murakami, Akira and Detmar, Meurers (2017) Task effects on linguistic complexity and accuracy : a large-scale learner corpus analysis employing Natural Language Processing techniques. Language Learning, 67 (Suppl.). pp. 180-208. ISSN 0023-8333

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Abstract

Large-scale learner corpora collected from online language learning platforms, such as the EF-Cambridge Open Language Database (EFCAMDAT), provide opportunities to analyze learner data at an unprecedented scale. However, interpreting the learner language in such corpora requires a precise understanding of tasks: Howdoes the prompt and input of a task and its functional requirements influence task-based linguistic performance? This question is vital for making large-scale task-based corpora fruitful for second language acquisition research. We explore the issue through an analysis of selected tasks in EFCAMDAT and the complexity and accuracy of the language they elicit.