Educational data mining (EDM) combines the techniques of data mining with educational data in order to provide students, instructors, and researchers with knowledge that can benefit academic processes. Due to globalization, foreign language learning (FLL) has become increasingly important. This work seeks to gain insight as to how data mining (DM) is being used to benefit FLL. For this purpose, an advanced review of pertinent research published from 2012 to 2017 was performed. After applying our screening method, 208 papers were selected for the exhaustive analysis. This analysis was divided into four aspects: context (educational environments, educational level), number of items, DM methods, and DM applications. The results indicated that 54% of studies were conducted in traditional environments, while only 3% of studies were performed in an m‐learning environment. In addition, 25 and 72% of the research was conducted in either a primary or secondary level, or in tertiary or adult level, respectively. Likewise, 76% of studies contained datasets of less than 1,000 items. The most utilized EDM methods were: factor analysis, regression, text mining, correlation mining, and causal DM. In addition, the studies analyzed showed that DM is mainly employed to predict the performance of students, to check learners' motivation, and to provide feedback for instructors. These results seem to indicate that although DM has much to offer the increasing number of language students, it is not being used to its full potential. This article is categorized under: Application Areas > Education and Learning Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Data Concepts

<p class="0abstract">In this paper, the authors explore the potential of the electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) as a recruitment tool, in particular whether Human Resources directors would be willing to use it during the recruitment and selection process. The ePortfolio presents, documents, reflects on, and fosters students’ skills, credentials, certificates and diverse formal and informal experiences in a structured and well-organized manner. Because the ePortfolio is, by nature, flexible and adaptable, an ePortfolio developed with the help of professors over the course of a students' studies can easily be incorporated into professional networking platforms as a job search tool and showcase the skills required for a successful applicant. It is often said that the difference between what is taught in the academic world and the practical skills that are required by the business sector make it difficult for students to access the labor market. The ePortfolio may help to reconcile both worlds. In order to examine whether Human Resources directors are willing to use an ePortfolio as a recruitment tool, a survey was carried out among fifty-two Human Resources directors. The research findings reveal that an educational ePortfolio can count on significant approval in the business sector. This research study is relevant as it provides valuable information on this topic and it is the only one to date, conducted among HR directors in the context of Spanish-speaking countries.</p>

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The ePortfolio has been used extensively in education in various countries and for diverse career paths. It is a dynamic platform that students can use to compile and formulate a digital presentation using different types of media which can be updated and adapted for distinct purposes and audiences. Because the ePortfolio is, by nature, flexible and adaptable, it can be developed over the course of a student’s studies and be easily incorporated into professional networking platforms as a job search tool. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the willingness of school principals from Poland and Spain to use the ePortfolio as a hiring tool.  The authors also sought to ascertain whether the number of employees in the participants’ schools or previous contact with ePortfolio affected their opinion of it as a hiring tool. Participants took a survey after reviewing examples of career ePortfolios, and their answers were tabulated and analyzed. The results show that principals from both countries would be inclined to use the ePortfolio as a hiring tool, and that neither previous contact nor number of employees significantly affected their opinion. These results are significant as they demonstrate a broad willingness to implement the ePortfolio as a hiring tool, that was not significantly affected by country or size of school. It is also relevant that this broad support was shared by principals who were unfamiliar with the ePortfolio before participating in this study.

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