Abstract

Most trainings of communicative behavior focus on fostering the observable speech productive behavior. The individual cognitive processes underlying speech receptive behavior thus are often neglected. This is due to the fact that speech receptive behavior cannot be accessed in the midst of a conversation and that its training is very time-consuming. Computer-supported learning environments employed as cognitive tools can help to foster speech receptive behavior. This article discusses the fostering of speech receptive behavior and the possibilities of using software for this purpose. The computer-supported learning environment CaiMan© which is based on these ideas is presented. Finally, seven factors of success for the integration of software into the training of soft skills are derived from empirical research.