Innovation in Language Learning

This paper is a twofold contribution. First, it aims at assisting in creating a clearer picture of the situation concerning information and communication technologies (ICT’s) implementation and integration in Gabon’s education system with specific attention on language learning. Second, it participates to the plea for Human Language Technology (HLT) research and development in Gabon. Previous works have focused on local language preservation and the role of language sciences into HLT development. It is however known that ICT’s provide an excellent platform not only for the implementation of certain types of HLT applications, but also for second or third language acquisition. The current paper intends to give an overview of the ICT’s landscape in Gabon. It focuses on ICT’s in Gabon’s language in education policies. The outline process and procedure adhere to Stoner’s conceptual framework for learning technology integration. According to Stoner, initiation is the first cycle during which challenges and enablers of ICT’s are determined, together with an assessment of the ICT situation in a given location. Thus, the paper successively presents potentials for ICT development in Gabon, an outline of the ICT situation in Gabon’s higher education, an indication for partners and initiatives for ICT implementation, and a synopsis of challenges as well as enablers for ICT implementation, integration and use.