Tanja Heck

Tanja Heck is a Research Associate and Doctoral Candidate at the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IWM) in Tübingen, Germany, where she is a member of the Language and AI in Education lab. Her work is centered on intelligent tutoring systems, particularly the development of FeedBook and research within the AI2Teach project, focusing on adaptive, NLP-driven language learning tools.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of Natural Language Processing and educational technology, with a focus on:

• Automatic generation of linguistically variable exercises
• Adaptive exercise selection based on learner profiles
• Modeling exercise difficulty and co-text complexity
• Curriculum-aligned content generation from authentic texts
• Design of student dashboards for intelligent tutoring systems

Her recent publications (2022–2024) show a consistent focus on enhancing adaptivity in language learning through computational methods. She leverages NLP to generate, parameterize, and tailor exercises, contributing to more personalized and effective foreign language instruction. Her work bridges AI innovation with practical classroom applications.

Scientific Contributions:

• Multiple publications in top-tier venues such as EUROCALL, BEA, and NLP4CALL
• Open-access research promoting transparency and reproducibility
• Interdisciplinary work combining linguistics, computer science, and pedagogy

Tanja Heck is actively involved in research and doctoral training, contributing to the advancement of AI in education. While no formal advising or grant information is provided, her role in major projects indicates active engagement in funded research. She is part of a dynamic research team working on next-generation educational technologies.