Usage of Visual Analytics to Support Immigration-Related, Personalised Language Training Scenarios

Most language learning applications are aimed at students or people who already know a language and want to improve their skills, or want to learn a new language. These applications, while seeking to be interactive, are not aimed at immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers, since the latter have different needs and interests from casual learners, opting for language skills that will allow them to function independently in the host society. This research is part of the European project WELCOME, which seeks to use state-of-the-art technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) apps and dialogue agents, to support the reception and integration of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) in Europe. The platform will be tested in three languages (Catalan, German and Greek), in real situations that the TCNs, mostly immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, face, combining linguistic activities, where aspects related to language and culture are worked on. Furthermore, a Visual Analytics Component (VAC) leverages authority (NGOs/State institutions) users’ perceptual and cognitive abilities by employing interactive visualisations as interfaces between users and learning analytics outcomes generated by amassed data. The goal is to find patterns within the characteristics of TCNs, and thus help language teachers adapt the content and tools to TCNs, contributing to greater personalisation in learning.