Word-formation Analysis Software Tool for Teaching Czech for Foreigners (SLAN). An interim report
Word-formation Analysis Software Tool for Teaching Czech for Foreigners (SLAN). An interim report

Summary/Abstract: The word-formation analyzer for teaching Czech to foreigners (SLAN) is a didactic tool that processes word formation for the needs of teaching Czech as a second/foreign language. The tool represents an opportunity to systematically work with word formation when teaching foreigners and to take advantage of the fact that more than two-thirds of the Czech vocabulary consists of derived words (Dokulil 1962: 105). Specifically, it is about using word-formation meaning, i.e. meaning resulting from the structure of derived words, when clarifying new vocabulary. Such a method complies with the basic didactic principle that an unknown (derived) word is explained using a known (basic) word. The core of the SLAN tool is lists made up of pairs of words base word → derived word, e.g. bydlet ‘to liveʼ → bydliště ‘residenceʼ, which are used by teachers to create their own teaching materials that take word formation into account. Word lists can be generated according to formal criteria (e.g. derived words ending in a selected suffix) as well as semantic criteria (e.g. derived words denoting place names). The tool also includes methodological support intended for teachers and texts for practising word-formation affinity (based on word-formation meaning). The primary source of SLAN data is the UčebKo textbook corpora, thanks to which students work only with words that they actually encounter at their level (A2, B1, or B2).

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