Discusses the phenomenon of involuntary mental rehearsal of language as an indicator of second language (L2) acquisition among acquirers. This study provides evidence for an L2 "Din in the head" after reading from a survey of two classes of intermediate Spanish students: a reading-only group and a reading-and-conversation group. (11 references)…

Describes the use of authentic Spanish language materials to design activities to help students discover and understand a text's underlying sociocultural context, using both pre- and postreading strategies to foster cultural awareness and understanding. (two references) (Author/CB)

An experiment is described in which learners listened to two radio broadcasts in Spanish, then reported on their strategies, comprehension, learning, level of confidence, and affective response to the input. Elements that the learners had in common are cited, as well as some that seem idiosyncratic. (24 references) (Author/LB)

Describes a study that investigated the types of rhetorical structures that beginning-level Spanish students encounter in their textbook reading materials. The intent of the study was to determine whether there was a match between the types of structures that English-speaking students are most typically able to demonstrate awareness of and the…

Describes one class' experience with Tele-class, where university students used a telephone-like device that showed a still picture of the speaker to talk with students in Spain, pointing out linguistic and cultural gains as well as limitations in enhancing motivation, language awareness, and cultural awareness. (13 references) (Author/CB)

Explored the relationship between language anxiety and reading in Spanish. Issues addressed include the following: the effect of language anxiety on reading comprehension and recall of university-level students and the effect of language anxiety on the reading process itself. Two inventories assessed two different anxiety levels: the Reading…

Examined effects of using Spanish captions, English captions, or no captions with a Spanish-language soundtrack on intermediate university-level Spanish as a foreign language students' comprehension of DVD passage material. Results revealed that the English captions group performed at a substantially higher level than the Spanish captions group,…

Although the "homestay" has long been considered a key factor in the study abroad experience, it is one of the least examined components of foreign study. In an effort to explore this issue from various perspectives, this study targeted several programs in Spain and Mexico with interviews of host families, students, and housing directors. Each…

An intensive course in Spanish is described which met daily for eight weeks from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Time was divided among classroom instruction, native speaker groups, and the language laboratory. (RM)

A self-instructional unit of six sections offers exercises, vocabulary, activities and self-tests that deal with shopping in Spain. The unit is designed for the first-year high school Spanish class. (KM)

Describes a component in the Spanish curriculum of a middle school in Illinois in which students make field trips to two Hispanic neighborhoods in Chicago. The trips teach students about the Hispanic community and culture and help them to see Spanish as a living language. (SED)

A foreign language festival in which the activities are organized around the theme of the bullfight is suggested as a means of attracting and motivating students. General guidelines for planning such an event are given. (Author/RM)

The use of an interview to test verbal ability in a second language and to establish a scale of oral proficiency is discussed. Sample questions are included in Spanish. (JB)