An experiment in which 90 undergraduate students were tested on simple and complex versions of a word-span task with high and low frequency words suggests that both word knowledge and a content-free working memory play causal roles in the relationship between word span and higher level cognitive tasks. (SLD)

Aimed to determine the basic English words Japanese students are not familiar with and to develop a reliable and easy-to-use vocabulary survey. Investigated the relationship between familiarity and second language and first-language recall to judge the amount students overestimate their vocabulary when using a self-checking familiarity survey.…

A study investigated the results of the use of Form E (Vocabulary and Comprehension subtests) of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT) with six successive cohorts of freshmen entering a midwestern state university. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships existing between NDRT scores and other indicators of academic success such…

This Graduate Record Examination (GRE) study assesses: (1) the relative contribution of a vocabulary score (consisting of GRE General Test antonyms and analogies) and a reading comprehension score (consisting of GRE sentence completion and reading comprehension sets) to the prediction of self-reported undergraduate grade point average (GPA); and…

Among the justifications for using games in foreign language teaching, one finds the theory that games play an important role in the instructional and learning processes and that they can be designed to develop linguistic skills and communicative abilities. A review of several authors not only suggests the value of games and game-like activities…

A 64-item analogy test was developed and administered to 55 college students enrolled in a noncredit reading improvement course to assess the effects of an instructional unit in taking analogy tests. The instructional unit was a 35-page self-instructional booklet that described the most common formats of analogy testing, defined eight types of…

Special emphases in language instruction for career purposes include relevant vocabulary, speaking and listening skills, dialog, pronunciation, and cultural material. Special techniques include role playing, avoiding use of English, and de-emphasis on grammar, reading, and writing. (MSE)

A study of logical reasoning ability of endusers searching a CD-ROM index and its correlation to searching performance was conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Findings showed a correlation between cognitive skills and citation selection and indicated that computer system design can be improved using a cognitive engineering…

This paper summarizes research findings on academic reading obtained from a questionnaire, two reading tests, and a textbook analysis and discusses essential reading skills required of foreign language (FL) learners in carrying out their academic studies as well as the skills with which they have problems. Results revealed that the essential…

A community college teacher, knowledgeable in composition and reading, worked with content area colleagues on reading and writing ideas for their courses. His "missionary work" included talking to colleagues, demonstrating teaching methods in their classrooms, and writing course materials for them. His main problems involved difficulties in…

Reviews a teaching strategy built on the body of research revealing crossword puzzles as effective means of introducing fundamental concepts and vocabulary. Discusses methods for constructing the puzzle. Student responses suggest that the puzzle was useful as a tool for both learning and review. (MJP)

Investigation of the retention of school-learned French language skills in Dutch students over a period of four years following training revealed that global receptive skills actually improved. Only lexical and grammatical skills attrited, although students' self-perception of their skill retention was much more negative. (Author/JR)

Analyzed and validated revised versions of the 2000 Word Level and the University Word Level of Nation's Vocabulary Levels Test, which can be administered for course planning and placement in language programs. Japanese high school and university students (n=496) completed four forms of the 2000 Word Test, and 464 completed four forms of the…

Employed extensively in some Soviet bloc countries to teach a variety of subjects, the Suggestive-Accelerative Learning and Teaching (SALT) method uses a combination of physical and mental relaxation exercises, music, and suggestive principles to increase learning. However, in spite of research showing its effectiveness in teaching reading skills…

The effects of review options (the opportunity for examinees to review and change answers) on the magnitude, reliability, efficiency, and concurrent validity of scores obtained from three types of computerized vocabulary tests (fixed item, adaptive, and self-adapted) were studied. Subjects were 97 college students at a large midwestern university…