Research in computer systems and platforms, corpus linguistics, computational linguistics, speech processing and machine learning

The Cambridge Institute for Automated Language Teaching and Assessment (ALTA) is a virtual institute that brings together researchers from Cambridge University Press & Assessment and the departments of Computer Science and Technology and Engineering, organised into a consortium of projects.

Using techniques from Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing, ALTA's primary objective is to develop technology to enhance the experience of English language learning and to develop cutting-edge approaches to automated assessment that will benefit learners and teachers worldwide. It forms part of Cambridge University's Language Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Centre.

Sponsorship from Cambridge University Press & Assessment supports a team of PhD students and post-doctoral researchers who investigate a range of topics, including:

• Language Assessment
• Teaching Feedback
• Adaptive Learning
• Content Creation and Calibration
  

Research into these areas requires research into the following technologies:

• Text and speech processing
• Machine learning
• Corpus development and analysis
• Security, platforms and deployment

Cambridge University Press & Assessment already has extensive experience in using technology to support language learning, including the multi-million word Cambridge Learner Corpus which is a uniquely extensive database of learners' English which is used to enhance Cambridge English exams and learning materials. Huge advances in areas like speech recognition and machine learning mean that computers can now complement the work of human assessors, giving surprisingly accurate evaluations of language and helping to diagnose areas for improvement. A lot of ground-breaking work is being done within Cambridge University, and the Institute brings this together, adding a new dimension to language learning.

We do not believe that automated assessment should replace class teachers and examiners anytime soon, but it can add great value to their work. For example, it can provide additional layers of quality control, speed up processes and give detailed diagnostic feedback to help students improve their English more effectively.