Describes experimental Spanish program which employs simulated conversation strategies that allow students more freedom in their responses than in usual computer assisted language instruction programs, while error checking routines monitor for syntactic errors. (Author/BK)

For spot-dictation purposes, song lyrics can be duplicated with blanks for the words or structures that are desirable to emphasize. Lyrics quite often have repetitious structures and vocabulary, and lend themselves to reinforcing new forms or concepts. This procedure can encourage general listening comprehension while highlighting one particular…

Discusses the use of prerecorded material as an aid to learning stress-rhythm and intonation. Central to this method is that learning prosodic features is largely auto-instructional. Once study materials have been carefully chosen and assembled, and a pace of self-instruction established, students' resources assume control. (Author/PJM)

Although the videotape recorder can be used effectively in foreign language teaching, its versatility has not been fully exploited. This article outlines several projects for integrating the videotape into language activities. The emphasis is on local production, not commercially prepared programs. (Author)

Discusses the use of standarized target language forms in the foreign language classroom. Describes appropriate documents and some typical classroom activities. (EKN)

Recent advances in electronic media technology (hypertext and interactive video) are summarized. Classroom applications and implementation issues are considered, and it is argued that technology can play an important role in foreign language and literature classrooms. (Contains 41 references.) (Author/LB)

Describes the inventory technique, a reading tool which helps second language students to use their background knowledge and experience in overcoming the gap between native and foreign cultural perspectives. The cultural inventory worksheet helps students collect and organize cultural information in written foreign language material. (Author/CB)

Describes FRELEM, a supplemental program of computer drill and practice in elementary French grammar being used at the University of Iowa. A survey of users indicated that students react well to the program and use it often. (EKN)

Describes the findings in foreign language research and the goals of global education that motivated the use of cities as a point of departure for activities and materials development. Suggests ideas for integrating city-based contextual information into activities for introductory classes and sources of information. Topics for study at…

Suggests criteria and strategies for an efficient use of textbook grammar presentations to give students a useful and native-like language. Shows how text deficiencies can be remedied through rearrangement and deletion of grammatical points and emphasizes the need for reentering useful, high frequency items in new contexts throughout the course.…

The dicto-comp, an exercise consisting of a passage to be read several times by the student and then reproduced, usually taps a student's ability to write dictation and composition. Here the emphasis is on composition rather than auditory memory expansion, with the idea that each dicto-comp has a specific teaching point to convey. (PJM)

Cognitive and affective responses to one authentic and three edited texts were examined with four levels of university-level learners of Spanish. Results indicated that all students comprehended significantly more from the authentic passage than from the edited ones and also responded more favorably to the authentic passages. (Contains 47…

There is a tendency for students studying a French lesson to lose the positive effects gained during the listening and speaking phase when they read the "Lecture" sections of their texts. A study of six beginning level French texts shows that the "Lecture" is difficult for students and not systematically graduated in difficulty. (PJM)

Discusses using inkblots, illustrations, and ads at all levels of second language instruction for teaching vocabulary, interpretation and discussion techniques, selected grammar points, and, by means of a taped interview of a native speaker's reaction to the visual material, listening comprehension. (EKN)

Explains how traditional materials available to most teachers can be a point of departure for a program which focuses on communicative competence and suggests ways of incorporating computer programs, slide/sound presentations, and conversational activities into the curriculum. (EKN)