Linguapolis as a research partner

Linguapolis approaches language education research in a unique way. We create a learning environment that ensures that learners, language teachers and other actors will attain their personal and educational targets. In this manner, we are able to select more appropriately from available language learning methods and we obtain better insight into the potential role of technology. Neither ICT, nor specific language teaching methods have a strong inherent learning effect: their purpose, form and role is determined primarily by the extent to which they contribute to the creation of the right language learning environment. Separate evaluations of applications and methods, detached from their context, are therefore not directly relevant.

Linguapolis not only engages in theoretical and empirical validation, but primarily considers Educational Engineering as an even richer source of expertise. Educational Engineering is an instructional design model that formulates new working hypotheses in a phased and cyclical manner on the basis of theoretical insights and practical experiences.

Each research activity undertaken by Linguapolis may be typified as a form of Educational Engineering, whereby the ADDIE model is systematically applied. After the formulation of a working hypothesis, it is tested, not in a laboratory setting, but in practice, in a real situation involving the greatest possible number of actors and factors. After a thorough evaluation, a new working hypothesis is drawn up by testing of data against theoretical and experiential insights. Every project is implemented in loops (versions). For the customer, this is a safe, phased and controllable approach. Each iteration results not only in a concrete, usable solution, but also in output with relevance to research and expertise building.

The training, systems development and service provision activities of Linguapolis are invariably incorporated into research: they are research-based and an integral part of a research hypothesis, and they lead to research output and the acquisition of further expertise.
Every Linguapolis activity is executed in this research-based and research-oriented way, in accordance with the concept of Distributed Language Learning (DLL). The DLL model was developed as a methodological and conceptual frame of reference for monitoring these processes.

Language education is a multidisciplinary activity. In order to be able to handle the multifarious disciplines, facets and actors involved, an interdisciplinary approach (whereby experts and expertise are merely brought together) is inadequate. Linguapolis favours a transdisciplinary approach whereby methodologies, mental processes and models are combined in an effective problem-solving strategy.