a method is disclosed for designing a labeling guide for use by a labeler in labeling data used for training a spoken language understanding module for an application . the method comprises a labeling guide designer selecting domain - independent actions applicable to an application , selecting domain - dependent objects according to characteristics of the application , and generating a labeling guide using the selected domain - independent actions and selected domain - dependent objects . an advantage of the labeling guide generated in this manner is that the labeling guide designer can easily port the labeling guide to a new application by selecting a set of domain - independent action and then selecting the domain - dependent objects related to the new application .