The assessment of dual language immersion (DLI) students' proficiency in the partner language plays a key role in program evaluation. This article reports findings from a large-scale study, drawing on cross-sectional assessment data from 73 schools and longitudinal data from 25 schools. Students were tested in the interpretive (listening and…

Research findings from several academic domains have demonstrated that students' judgments of their own academic capabilities, or self-efficacy beliefs, influence their academic behaviors and performances. Absent from this body of research are studies assessing self-efficacy beliefs and their relation to foreign language proficiency. Informed by…

To determine whether research results in second language acquisition (SLA) is having an actual affect on students, reviews developments in the treatment of second language (L2) reading, revisits recommendations stemming from these developments, evaluates evidence of these recommendations, and evaluates evidence of recommendations in recently…

Reports on the first phases of an American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages project to develop a computerized adaptive test of reading proficiency. The theoretical multidimensionality of the construct is clarified, and its implications for test development, item calibration, and validation procedures are discussed. (Author/SED)

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)

Documents strategy, affective reactions, and metacognitive assessments of beginning French students encountering their first French reading exercise via think-aloud and recall protocols. Findings suggest that beginning second language readers transfer strategies from the first language and other reading experiences to new reading situations and…

Examples of worksheets are given and their use discussed in teaching an audiolingual course in French on the junior and senior high school levels. Activities on the worksheets involve auditory discrimination and reading and writing skills. Tape recordings are used. (RM)

The miscues of thirty randomly chosen third-year French students in four high schools were examined and analyzed to discover the strategies they used. (Author/RM)

A teaching technique is described in which each student is presented with a written clue from a mystery story which is pertinent to the solution of the mystery. Sustained student interaction is required. This joint problem-solving endeavor requires students to use both oral and written linguistic skills. (Author/RM)

Explores several areas related to the development of reading skills in the Business Foreign Language course, including pre-reading activities, schema theory, the importance of background knowledge, and post-reading activities, and presents examples of how such activities as reading periodicals in the second language can enhance learning.…

Comments on the fact that reading skills are neglected in foreign language instruction and outlines the goals of reading instruction, based on an analysis of the reading process. Considering reading as problem-solving behavior, learning strategies are suggested. The active role of the teacher and the need for appropriate materials are stressed.…

Presents a three-part approach for developing critical reading and critical thinking skills in the foreign language curriculum. This approach seeks to (1) establish a conducive environment for critical thought; (2) sharpen students' critical eye through extensive analytical reading; and (3) sensitize students to language and language use.…

A technique using verbal analysis of photographs for the controlled syntactic manipulation of material suggested by the picture is described. This activity develops thinking skills, language skills, and cultural awareness. (PMJ)

This paper reports the findings of an investigation of university students' attitudes toward the study of literature and culture in a foreign language program. Discussion centers on why language students consistently rate the study of literature below other aspects of their language courses. (19 references) (JL)