Development of a stable CALL framework  

Background:  The history of language learning methods and its related research is most revealing. Since the middle of the 19th century, methods and approaches have come and gone, have been reinvented and died again. The main reasons why a method disappoints after some years seem (1) the underestimation of one or more components as a consequence of the stressing of other aspects, and (2) insufficient consideration for the specificity of a learning environment. But we should also recognize that this dynamic process is unavoidable, given the complexity of language learning.

Research question:  To what extent can we develop a background-framework for CALL that is less dependent of shifting methods and therefore more apt to serve the needs of differing methods, both present and future? It would require the inclusion of the many variables and viewpoints that characterize methods, e.g. the widest possible array of didactic strategies and of procedures for content selection and organization. Such a background-framework would not only provide a "house with a view", but also help us to avoid the loss of valuable CALL R&D when it is too closely tied to a mortal method or software platform.

Suggested methodology/comments: 

Reader Comments: --