Abstract:Recently, ontology learning is emerging as a new hotspot of research in computer science. In this paper the issue of ontology learning is divided into nine sub-issues according to the structured degree (structured, semi-structured, non-structured) of source data and learning objects (concept, relation, axiom) of ontology. The characteristics, major approaches and the latest research progress of the nine sub-issues are summarized. Based on the analysis framework proposed in the paper, existing ontology learning tools are introduced and compared. The problems of current research are discussed, and finally the future directions are pointed out.