This paper describes the development of an environmental ICAI system for English conversation learning, which is equipped with a simulation-based learning environment and an advisor function. Recently there have been various educational applications or tools for adult second language education, where the learning target is the acquisition of formal knowledge of a language. When considering the implementation of a practical CAI system, methods for developing communicative competence in learners are required. Although there are a number of ICAI systems for conversation learning, often the methodologies which they apply are not completely suitable for the acquisition of the required fundamental knowledge. Our system, based on the architecture of environmental CAI, enhances communication skill acquisition. The system has a learning environment with the following features: (1) A simulation of language activities, implemented in the role-playing game style, which helps to promote a learner's motivation. (2) Educational behavior of the system is varied through the modification of the learning environment and changes in the simulation progress and control commands. (3) An induction strategy, which can cause learners to fail to achieve a learning target, is executed by an advisor mechanism. The system is a prototype architecture for application in environmental ICAI systems for simulation based learning. We believe that the architecture of this system is an efficient framework for linguistic education.

Kanji Laboratory is a kanji learning ICAI system. In this paper, we describe the development of Kanji Laboratory, which is designed for foreigners who are learning Japanese kanji. We have developed Kanji Laboratory under the guidelines of environmental ICAI systems, based on a kanji learning method focusing on kanji radicals. Kanji Laboratory consists of a knowledge base, a learning environment and an advisor module. The knowledge base can well-handle the knowledge of Joyo Kanji (1,945 characters). Each one is related with its radicals via their inherited attributes. In addition, this knowledge base system can search kanji knowledge quickly. The learning environment has the following features: (1) Students can construct a kanji by combining radicals and disassemble the kanji into radicals and strokes. (2) Students can use electronic tools, such as a kanji dictionary, which support kanji learning. In this way, students can learn kanji and the relations with its radicals effectively. With regard to the advisor, although it occurs that students fall in plateaus of learning in environmental CAI, the advisor module is designed to give well-timed advice to students, avoiding those plateaus, based on the observation of their learning actions.