In choosing a title for this paper, we have consciously copied the name of the series of biannual conferences, started at Lancaster in 1994, which aim to bring together those who have an interest in the application of corpora to the teaching of language and linguistics. Already, those conferences have set in train a series of publications – conference proceedings (Wilson and McEnery, 1994; Botley, Glass, McEnery and Wilson, 1996), a general selection of papers (Wichmann, Knowles, McEnery and Fligelstone, 1997) and a collection of papers related to multilingual copora (Botley, McEnery and Wilson, 1997). The aim of this paper is to summarize the progress to date in the field of teaching and language corpora, both as a general introduction and as a gateway to the more comprehensive literature which is developing. As such, this paper owes a considerable debt to all of the participants at the past two conferences.

This paper analyses new research into learner-assisted testing. The results of this research, in addition to advances in computer technology and programming, have opened up the possibility of helping students to learn more effectively by providing immediate feedback or further information in the form of clues or hints. The implications of these developments regarding a formative approach to assessment and autonomous learning are reviewed. Finally, innovative approaches within computer-based assessment of language learning, such as modules entirely taught through the use of computer courseware and CAL methods, and applications of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) to foreign language learning, are discussed.

This article describes an email project between undergraduate non-specialist learners of Spanish and English in England and Spain. Students took part in a discussion forum and worked with a tandem partner exchanging information, ideas and corrections of each other's language. The project revealed a range of experiences and a case study of one particularly successful participant is presented. The contribution of email tandem learning to CALL within the communicative curriculum is also discussed. It is proposed that such learning plays a different role from classroom language learning, providing a bridge between the classroom and the natural language setting.

This paper describes how teachers without specialist computing skills can create their own computer delivered multimedia learning applications using a word processor and digital information from a variety of sources. These home-made multimedia applications can exploit video, sound clips, animations, photos, and graphics. Examples of such DIY multimedia learning materials are shown, their method of creation described and possible benefits of their use for CALL and self-access put forward.

This paper examines the relationship between Information Technology (IT) and an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course. This relationship is examined in the context of pre-sessional summer courses at British Universities. The paper provides a rationale for the inclusion of an IT component on an EAP course, and considers why a number of IT areas are not yet being fully exploited by EAP units at British Universities.

In September 1995 the Language Institute at the University of Hull and British Telecommunications plc began working together on a major research project with the aim developing an environment to support distance teaching and learning. Project MERLIN is exploring the latest commincations techologies to support interaction and collaboration between groups of remote learners, and between these learneers and their tutor. These technologies include: computer conferencing, dynamic HTML and the integration of specifically designed database and telephone-conferencing facilities with the World Wide Web interface.

The savaging review of Italiana Interattivo (CD-ROM for teaching … you've guessed it, Italian), in ReCALL volume 8 number 2, has an incorrect address for my department's home page. Those interested in finding out more about Italiano Interattivo please point your browser to http://www.wmin.ac.uk/LLC/languages/italian.html.