An Adaptive Vocabulary Learning Application through Modeling Learner’s Linguistic Proficiency and Interests

Abstract

This paper introduces a vocabulary learning application called 'Avocado' that aims to provide suitable learning materials to learners by modeling their language proficiency and topical interests. A learner's vocabulary level is estimated through aggregating words that he identifies as difficult in given text passages; and his topical interests are gathered by utilizing the social network (Facebook) profile. The application recommends a set of recent news articles that are 1) at an appropriate level to the learner, and 2) closely related to the topics that he finds interesting.