Discusses the value of using translation exercises in the second language classroom, specifically for the insight they afford into the organizations of meanings in different languages and cultures. (EKN)

Questions the relevance of the traditional structural/grammatical approach to Russian course design. Suggests instead a functional notional approach and provides an overview of its rationale and principles. (EKN)

Advocates the use of good teaching practices in Russian language teaching. Specific recommendations are made regarding class preparation, motivation, and pattern drills. Attention is called to bad practices that are to be avoided. (AM)

Discusses a semi-independent eclectic teaching model, designed to alleviate some of the problems of intermediate-level language classes. It attempts to capitalize on the virtues of a variety of approaches by combining features of each that best accomplish specific language teaching goals. (EKN)

Due to differences in the grammars of English and French, "pendant" and "depuis" are as difficult to master for English speakers as their equivalents "for" and "since" are for French speakers. To the former, three facts are crucial: (1) "depuis" corresponds to both "for" and "since," which creates ambiguities; (2) "depuis" applies to an…

Surveys some of the principal theories and methodologies in second language instruction. (EKN)

It is argued that a method for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) combining the communicative approach with the traditional grammatical orientation and Chinese teaching traditions may be more effective than any one of these single approaches in the Chinese educational and cultural context. The resulting approach is termed the…

The methodology reported in this paper argues for a synthesis of various theories and methods. First, a synopsis is given of the pedagogical and linguistic approaches that should underlie a successful attempt to teach the contrast in two verb tenses in Portuguese. Secondly, a contrast unique to Portuguese is examined and a multistage approach for…

This paper describes and compares six models for teaching second languages developed and adopted since 1840 (grammar-translation, direct, structural, situational, audiolingual, and communicative methods), and proposes a seventh, the cognitive-linguistic method, incorporating Noam Chomsky's theory of learning. The model takes both extralinguistic…