Starting with H.W. Seliger's distinction between second language learning strategies (abstract cognitive functions used to acquire knowledge) and learning tactics (activities learner uses to acquire language), presents the most important tactics and comments on which learner characteristics and teaching methods take advantage of them. Tactics…

Provides a general overview of factors affecting foreign language learning, and discusses how they are related to one another. (EKN)

Reports a study wherein a foreign language aptitude test was used to group German students beginning English language instruction in three types of German intermediate schools. Students were tested periodically to determine if the groups originally established were maintained. By the end of the second year, they were not. (PMJ)

Discusses research into the effect of background knowledge on English for Academic Purposes (EAP) tests and discusses EAP tests in which the content of at least some of the test components is related to students' fields of academic study. Suggests that for international EAP tests, English for specific academic purposes testing be abandoned.…

"Listening Recall" is a listening comprehension test which discriminates over a wide range of proficiency. Unlike traditional tests, requiring multiple choice responses, it is a listening cloze procedure; a narrative passage accompanied by a written version with deletions. Particularly suited to low proficiency learners, test has high…

Examines the effectiveness of different methods of improving the pronunciation of students of English-as-a-Second-Language studying in Great Britain and evaluates the significance of instruction as a factor affecting pronunciation. Findings reveal that successful acquisition of second-language pronunciation is affected by training, aptitude for…

Compares English-as-a-Foreign-Language students beliefs about language learning, using responses to the Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) to identify similarities and differences across cultural groups. Examination of individual BALLI responses did not yield clear-cut cultural differences in beliefs. (Author/VWL)

This study examined the relationship between language learning strategies and factors such as proficiency, teacher perceptions, gender, aptitude, learning style, personality, and motivation among 520 adults studying various languages at the Foreign Service Institute. It found a low but significant relationship between cognitive strategy use and…