User Model User-Adap Inter (2006) 16:349–376 DOI 10.1007/s11257-006-9014-5 ORIGINAL PAPER Coalescing individual and collaborative learning to model user linguistic competences Timothy Read · Beatriz Barros · Elena Bárcena · Jesús Pancorbo Received: 4 October 2005 / Accepted: 9 May 2006 / Published online: 9 September 2006 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006 Abstract A linguistic, pedagogic and technological framework for an ICALL system called COPPER is presented here, where individual and collaborative learning are combined within a constructivist approach to facilitate second language learning. Based upon the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the ability to use language is viewed as one of several cognitive competences that are mo- bilised and modified when individuals communicate. To combine the different types of learning underlying the European Framework, a student model has been developed for COPPER that represents linguistic competences in a detailed way, combining high granularity expert-centric Bayesian networks with multidimensional stereotypes, and is updated following student activities semi-automatically. Instances of this model are used by an adaptive group formation algorithm that dynamically generates com- municative groups based upon the linguistic capabilities of available students, and a collection of collaborative activity templates. As well as the student model, which is T. Read (B ) · B. Barros Dpto. de Lenguajes y Sistemas Informáticos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad National de Educatión a Distancia (UNED), C. /Juan de Rosales 16, 28040 Madrid, Spain e-mail: tread@lsi.uned.es B. Barros e-mail: bbarros@lsi.uned.es E. Bárcena Dpto. Fac. de Filología Extranjeras y sus Lingüísticas, Universidad National de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Paseo Serda del Rey 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain e-mail: mbarcena@flog.uned.es J. Pancorbo Dpto. Ingeniería Informática, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid, Spain e-mail: jpancorb@nebrija.es