Adaptive learning has proved to be an advanced educational method applicable to a variety of educational and training models to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in teaching and learning. The idea behind adaptive learning is the use of computer-based interactive systems fully capable of automatically adapting the presentation of learning content and material according to the learners' responses and progress when interacting with the systems. With English becoming increasingly important in the world today as an international language, it has been questioned as to whether adaptive learning can be utilized to facilitate the learning of English as a second language in non-English-speaking countries. This paper addresses this issue by proposing a framework that uses perturbation learner model in designing an adaptive system. © 2012 IEEE.