Discusses the importance of vocabulary acquisition in second language instruction, viewing it as central to the learning process. The interplay among words, meanings, and situations is considered, and various types of exercises are examined to determine when and how vocabulary can best be brought into focus. (MES)

Reviews the history, principles, merits, and weaknesses of "Fundamental French" (FF) as seen 25 years after its elaboration. Focuses on the two chief components of this approach, a frequency based vocabulary and a thematic vocabulary, and discusses options open to present-day linguists for a reevaluation of FF. (MES)