Toward Scalable Dialog Technology For Conversational Language Learning: A Case Study Of The Toefl (R) Mooc

We present a scalable, dialog-based conversational practice tool for English language learners that is operationally deployed on the TOEFL (R) MOOC. The tool consists of three applications of varying duration that recognize the learner's speech input and respond appropriately. Learners are also provided with basic feedback regarding task performance after the completion of the conversation. We envision this as the first milestone towards the proliferation of many such scalable dialog applications that can help language learners practice, assess and improve their spoken conversation skills.