ABSTRACT
Language instructors can use corpus-based tools to enhance their lessons with personalized materials and incorporate authentic language material to support learning vocabulary, collocations, and register. However, many corpus-based tools are costly or not user-friendly, presenting a challenge for teachers or students with little time for self-directed learning and professional development. Proper evaluation of the usability of corpus tools is essential if practitioners are to use them for instruction. In this chapter, we demonstrate the application of Nielsen's (1995) usability heuristics to evaluate three corpus analysis tools: Lextutor, AntConc, and LancsBox. First, we briefly review the impact of usability on language learning with corpora. Second, we outline an adapted protocol for applying Nielsen's heuristics. Third, we present findings from our evaluations of the three corpus tools following the adapted protocol, including a numeric rating and a qualitative evaluation of each tool, as well as recommendations for how practitioners can best use these tools for instructional purposes. We conclude with suggestions for future research incorporating heuristic evaluation in corpus research and CALL practice.
