Despite major advances in computer hardware generally and in software
development techniques in areas such as engineering troubleshooting and
gaming, computer assisted foreign language learning applications have
not kept pace with the general trend. This is as true today as it was
when the content of this book was first set out and in a sense we are
still waiting for the envisaged breakthrough which will harness the
power of artificial intelligence and object-oriented software
development in order to create truly effective software solutions
specifically designed for the independent language learner. The third
edition of this book presents a snapshot in time outlining the scope of
software solutions available for autonomous language learning at an
early stage of their development and then goes on to examine the
interface between the technology of expert systems and the latest
applications in the fields of natural language processing, interactive
gaming, online learning and virtual reality.