A German Grammar Tutorial in Microsoft Excel

This project exploits the combined strengths of Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic for Applications to create a model of German grammar that can serve as a flexible foundation for sophisticated computer-aided language learning (CALL) applications. A structural representation of a sentence is first built using spreadsheet tables of inflectional forms and endings, a lexicon of appropriate vocabulary, and procedures that implement the basic rules of German grammar. The sentence is then presented to the student leaving some problem to be solved (such as endings left blank). Extensive feedback is available to the student, including step-by-step interactive guidance that leads to the correct answer while reinforcing understanding of the relevant principles. Tutorials such as this one can offer the kind of guidance that many students need in order to learn and practice grammar on their own and can thus make an important contribution to a balanced approach to language learning.