The Department has received questions from those interested in language learning through technology now that the E-Language Learning System (ELLS) has been released on the Department's website for use by the public. Below are responses to frequently asked questions about ELLS and its release into the public domain.

Question: How will the Department plan to launch the system in China? Should some of us from the industry implement the lessons that meet your technical and pedagogical specifications?

Answer: The Department does not plan to launch ELLS in China. The Department encourages the use and development of the ELLS application and the completion of the 36 lessons. The People's Republic of China, Ministry of Education, has the content scripts for the 36 lessons teaching English to Chinese students, and the Ministry may use those scripts as they deem appropriate.

Question: What is your future plan to manage ELLS as an open source project? Will you form and manage the open source e-language community? What will happen if there is more than one system that meets your requirements?

Answer: The Department is interested in evaluating any built and implemented system that meets our technical and pedagogical specifications, as originally conceptualized in this research and development effort. Our first priority is to evaluate the English language implementation of ELLS with a Chinese-speaking student population. In addition, we will consider evaluating a built and implemented English language system that is targeted on a Spanish-speaking student population. Any future plans to conduct an evaluation of a completed E-Language Learning system will be based on available funding.

Question: Even though the Department has released into the public domain the 36 lesson scripts and the ELLS system source code, does the Department retain ownership of these resources?

Answer: Although the Department owns the ELLS Source Code, minus the proprietary components, the Department has released the ELLS application and content into the public domain for the purpose of supporting those in the field who can gain from this research and development effort in language learning using technology.

Question: What about the implementation of the 36 lessons? Can a company launch and host the English ELLS in China, free of charge to the Chinese students using the ELLS lessons. But in the same application, there will be other eLearning courses using the same platform that require paid subscription? Will this require approval?

Answer: As noted above, the Department has released into the public domain the ELLS application, minus the proprietary software and the content script for the 36 lessons. Approval from the Department is not required by anyone to use these materials. Department approval would not be required for any enhancements to the ELLS application, including customizing support manuals, teaching materials, or learning aids.

Question: If a company develops teaching materials unrelated to ELLS and they meet the technical and pedagogical specifications of ELLS, will ED endorse it as "Approved by ED". In other words, would the Department be in a position to "certify" eLearning materials based on the ELLS platform?

Answer: The Department would not be a position to certify any technology application or corresponding teaching materials. If the Department evaluates a completed and implemented system, the Department will disseminate the findings of that evaluation, whatever the outcomes indicate (positive or negative outcomes). The Department's evaluation would not constitute approval or endorsement of the materials.

Question: If a company develops new lessons, will they be in the public domain, as well? If a company generates new curricula unrelated to ELLS but uses the ELLS software, can the company launch the curricula? Does it require any formal approval from ED?

Answer: The Department encourages the use and further development of the ELLS resources. No approval is required from the Department for developing new curricula or for enhancing the system.