Distance learning of foreign languages through Internet requires frequent non-face to face interactions between an instructor and students on the web. The interactions involve with online testing, questions and answers through emails, and online chatting, among others. Although this approach is effective, recording the data of the interactions for future reference is still ad hoc. The approach may be strengthened by a more rigid analysis and design of a data recording process, which may help an instructor to improve future interaction method.
A database model for distance learning of foreign languages will be presented. The model tracks the recording of words and grammars used during past interactions.
It models the relationships among words, grammars, problem sets of online tests, test results, student backgrounds, patterns and frequencies of questions asked by students, patterns and frequencies of online chatting topics, and so on. An implementation of this database model to an Oracle database, which will also be presented, together with a distance learning tool, which will be covered, provide historical perspectives and data analyses for the instructors or course designers to view and consult with. They may substantially help improve the process of distance learning of foreign languages.

Keywords

• Distance learning
• Foreign languages
• Interactions
• Database model
• Online testing
• Online chatting
• Relationship
• Data recording
• Data analyses
• Historical perspective

(30 min. Conference Paper, English)