This paper discusses the concept of error in the learning of the phonology of a second language and argues that the concept of error must be viewed as a positive element, an initiation of the process of successive approximations toward the correct phonetic realization. Based on the idea that interference between two languages generates a…

The author reviews some recent theories, experiments, and observations in psychology and psycholinguistics which challenge the basic assumptions of the audio-lingual method of foreign language teaching: Language learning is habit formation, requiring analogy rather than analysis; meaning can be learned only in the matrix of allusions to the…

A contrastive analysis of some phonological, morphological, and syntactical differences existing in French and English are cited along with suggestions for teaching each variation by the systematic approach. Also discussed briefly are such language interference problems as auditory discrimination of segmental and supra-segmental phonemes,…

This text focuses on the nature of language learning in the light of modern linguistic analysis. Common linguistic problems encountered by students of eight major languages are examined--Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Russian. The text discusses the nature of language, building new language habits, overcoming…

Linguistics can contribute to language education by making teachers empirically aware of the complexity of language, methodologically attuned to improved teaching techniques, and theoretically informed about the general nature of language. Past education projects which have been affected by the application of linguistic principles are Breakthrough…

The second of a two-volume series of the Foreign Service Institute's "German Basic Course," this text contains 12 units of instructional materials intended for classroom use. Each unit contains: (1) basic sentences, (2) notes to the basic sentences, (3) notes on grammar, (4) substitution drills, (5) conversion drills, (6) variation…

This article discusses the "threshold level" approach to the teaching of second languages to adults, as introduced by Van Ek. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

This article argues against the threshold approach to second language instruction, which concentrates on the acquisition of functional and practical aspects of the language in question. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

This article discusses sociolinguistics and how certain of its norms bear a direct relationship to the teaching objectives of EFL. (CLK)

Argues against the teaching of foreign languages to children under the age of ten, basing conclusions on empirical and theoretical evidence. (CLK)

Argues that transformational grammar supplies an adequate theoretical model with explanatory power; all that is needed is that the language teacher take a long, hard look at transformational theory. (VM)

Paper presented at the TESOL Convention, March 1971, New Orleans, Louisiana, based on a study supported in part by a University of Hawaii Curriculum Development Grant. (VM)

Paper read at the Pacific Conference on Contrastive Linguistics and Language Universals, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 11-16, 1971. (VM)

This paper describes a teaching method based on generative transformational grammar that has been successfully used in the ESL (English as a second language) classroom. The method and techniques are based on the Elgin-Rush study in which the problem of teaching basic writing skills to native English speakers was addressed. The present study…