Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages

E. Akhlaghi; B. Bédi; F. Bektas; H. Berthelsen; M. Butterweck; C. Chua; C. Cucchiarini; G. Eryigit; J. Gerlach; H. Habibi; N.N. Chiaráin; M. Rayner; S. Steingrímsson; H. Strik

Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages

E. Akhlaghi
, B. Bédi
, F. Bektas
, H. Berthelsen
, M. Butterweck
, C. Chua
, C. Cucchiarini
, G. Eryigit
, J. Gerlach
, H. Habibi
, N.N. Chiaráin
, M. Rayner
, S. Steingrímsson
, H. Strik

The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies

The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, Other Icelandic Research Institutions

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

LARA (Learning and Reading Assistant) is an open source platform whose purpose is to support easy conversion of plain texts into multimodal online versions suitable for use by language learners. This involves semi-automatically tagging the text, adding other annotations and recording audio. The platform is suitable for creating texts in multiple languages via crowdsourcing techniques that can be used for teaching a language via reading and listening. We present results of initial experiments by various collaborators where we measure the time required to produce substantial LARA resources, up to the length of short novels, in Dutch, English, Farsi, French, German, Icelandic, Irish, Swedish and Turkish. The first results are encouraging. Although there are some startup problems, the conversion task seems manageable for the languages tested so far. The resulting enriched texts are posted online and are freely available in both source and compiled form.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings
Publisher	European Language Resources Association (ELRA)
Pages	323–331
Number of pages	9
ISBN (Electronic)	9791095546344
Publication status	Published - May 2020
Event	12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, LREC 2020 - Marseille, France Duration: 11 May 2020 → 16 May 2020

Publication series

Name	LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings

Conference

Conference	12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, LREC 2020
Country/Territory	France
City	Marseille
Period	11/05/20 → 16/05/20

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

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Akhlaghi, E., Bédi, B., Bektas, F., Berthelsen, H., Butterweck, M., Chua, C., Cucchiarini, C., Eryigit, G., Gerlach, J., Habibi, H., Chiaráin, N. N., Rayner, M., Steingrímsson, S., & Strik, H. (2020). Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages. In LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings (pp. 323–331). (LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings). European Language Resources Association (ELRA). https://aclanthology.org/2020.lrec-1.40.pdf

Akhlaghi, E. ; Bédi, B. ; Bektas, F. et al. / Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages. LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings. European Language Resources Association (ELRA), 2020. pp. 323–331 (LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings).

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title = "Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages",

abstract = "LARA (Learning and Reading Assistant) is an open source platform whose purpose is to support easy conversion of plain texts into multimodal online versions suitable for use by language learners. This involves semi-automatically tagging the text, adding other annotations and recording audio. The platform is suitable for creating texts in multiple languages via crowdsourcing techniques that can be used for teaching a language via reading and listening. We present results of initial experiments by various collaborators where we measure the time required to produce substantial LARA resources, up to the length of short novels, in Dutch, English, Farsi, French, German, Icelandic, Irish, Swedish and Turkish. The first results are encouraging. Although there are some startup problems, the conversion task seems manageable for the languages tested so far. The resulting enriched texts are posted online and are freely available in both source and compiled form.",

author = "E. Akhlaghi and B. B{\'e}di and F. Bektas and H. Berthelsen and M. Butterweck and C. Chua and C. Cucchiarini and G. Eryigit and J. Gerlach and H. Habibi and N.N. Chiar{\'a}in and M. Rayner and S. Steingr{\'i}msson and H. Strik",

year = "2020",

month = may,

language = "English",

series = "LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings",

publisher = "European Language Resources Association (ELRA)",

pages = "323–331",

booktitle = "LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings",

note = "12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, LREC 2020 ; Conference date: 11-05-2020 Through 16-05-2020",

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Akhlaghi, E, Bédi, B, Bektas, F, Berthelsen, H, Butterweck, M, Chua, C, Cucchiarini, C, Eryigit, G, Gerlach, J, Habibi, H, Chiaráin, NN, Rayner, M, Steingrímsson, S & Strik, H 2020, Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages. in LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings. LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings, European Language Resources Association (ELRA), pp. 323–331, 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, LREC 2020, Marseille, France, 11/05/20. <https://aclanthology.org/2020.lrec-1.40.pdf>

Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages. / Akhlaghi, E.; Bédi, B.; Bektas, F. et al.
LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings. European Language Resources Association (ELRA), 2020. p. 323–331 (LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages

AU - Akhlaghi, E.

AU - Bédi, B.

AU - Bektas, F.

AU - Berthelsen, H.

AU - Butterweck, M.

AU - Chua, C.

AU - Cucchiarini, C.

AU - Eryigit, G.

AU - Gerlach, J.

AU - Habibi, H.

AU - Chiaráin, N.N.

AU - Rayner, M.

AU - Steingrímsson, S.

AU - Strik, H.

PY - 2020/5

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N2 - LARA (Learning and Reading Assistant) is an open source platform whose purpose is to support easy conversion of plain texts into multimodal online versions suitable for use by language learners. This involves semi-automatically tagging the text, adding other annotations and recording audio. The platform is suitable for creating texts in multiple languages via crowdsourcing techniques that can be used for teaching a language via reading and listening. We present results of initial experiments by various collaborators where we measure the time required to produce substantial LARA resources, up to the length of short novels, in Dutch, English, Farsi, French, German, Icelandic, Irish, Swedish and Turkish. The first results are encouraging. Although there are some startup problems, the conversion task seems manageable for the languages tested so far. The resulting enriched texts are posted online and are freely available in both source and compiled form.

AB - LARA (Learning and Reading Assistant) is an open source platform whose purpose is to support easy conversion of plain texts into multimodal online versions suitable for use by language learners. This involves semi-automatically tagging the text, adding other annotations and recording audio. The platform is suitable for creating texts in multiple languages via crowdsourcing techniques that can be used for teaching a language via reading and listening. We present results of initial experiments by various collaborators where we measure the time required to produce substantial LARA resources, up to the length of short novels, in Dutch, English, Farsi, French, German, Icelandic, Irish, Swedish and Turkish. The first results are encouraging. Although there are some startup problems, the conversion task seems manageable for the languages tested so far. The resulting enriched texts are posted online and are freely available in both source and compiled form.

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M3 - Conference contribution

T3 - LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings

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EP - 331

BT - LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings

PB - European Language Resources Association (ELRA)

T2 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, LREC 2020

Y2 - 11 May 2020 through 16 May 2020

ER -

Akhlaghi E, Bédi B, Bektas F, Berthelsen H, Butterweck M, Chua C et al. Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages. In LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings. European Language Resources Association (ELRA). 2020. p. 323–331. (LREC 2020 - 12th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation, Conference Proceedings).

Constructing multimodal language learner texts using LARA: Experiences with nine languages

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

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