Lindseth (2016) reported that direct instruction and practice using the German verb-inversion rule resulted in higher accuracy in an oral test for college students, supporting the hypothesis that explicit linguistic knowledge can become implicit linguistic knowledge. It is quite likely, however, that the conditions for the use of conscious…

Transitions in ESL contexts generally refer to those linking words placed between sentences and between paragraphs. Transitions in writing (and in speaking) are helpful; they facilitate coherence and cohesion when used correctly. Understanding them when reading allows us to join the writer in seeing why and how idea B follows idea A. In this…

Mauritius is a multilingual island, where there is a linguistic and literacy paradox. While Mauritian Creole dominates as the spoken language of the population, English and French are the main print languages, as well as the main languages of literacy and education. In such a complex situation, preschool is an interesting terrain in which to…

In her paper, Burke questions whether top-down proficiency mandates will positively impact teacher practice. Her main argument is the following: The requirement that foreign language (FL) teachers demonstrate an advanced level of proficiency does not guarantee that they will be more effective K-12 FL teachers; on this point, the author agrees with…

Owing to analyses of large spoken corpora the linguistic knowledge of conversation has grown in recent years exponentially. Up until now little of this knowledge has trickled down to the EFL classroom. One of the reasons, this paper argues, is the failure in the relevant literature to spell out clearly how teaching conversational grammar affects…

This article responds to points raised in the article "The paired format in the Cambridge Speaking Tests" by Julie Norton in the 59/4 issue of this Journal on the potential drawbacks of a paired format in oral testing, based on observations about the nature of the discourse produced in this context. This article argues that, although the author…

Assumes unified language behavior including verbal, kinesic, and prosodic forms. Proposes that interlanguage theory should be expanded to include kinesic and prosodic modes of behavior. Suggests that acquisition of second-language kinesic and prosodic forms takes place similarly to acquisition of verbal forms and that acquisition is developmental,…

Describes the retrieving and transposing of utterances from plays that were staged in the context of a French course using drama techniques. Results show consistency even though the number of retrieved and transposed utterances varied between the subjects from one task to the other. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the right of Deaf children to grow up bilingually. This involves the opportunity to acquire a sign language as well as the oral language spoken by the hearing community. Examines the role of both the sign language and the oral language for the Deaf child. (Author/VWL)

It is argued that the field of second and foreign language learning must begin to incorporate a sociocultural perspective of oral language use into language pedagogy and that the study of oral practices is a valuable way to start. Classroom practices are suggested. (86 references) (Author/LB)

Reviews some trends in the measurement of oral fluency in a foreign language and offers an alternative to integrative and discrete point testing and to the oral interview. This alternative looks at two components of fluent speech--speech rate and consonant attraction--as they fit into the parameters of fluency. (SED)

Presents a method for managing and teaching oral presentation in the conversational foreign language class. (Author/VWL)

Presents an interview of Sandra Thompson on various topics relating to the Chinese language. The interview touches on conversational data on Chinese, the lack of morphological complexity in Mandarin Chinese, and the development of Chinese functionalism. (12 references) (CK)

Discusses prominent base units of discourse analysis designed for dealing with structural characteristics of second-language discourse, and offers arguments in favor of selecting the utterance as a valuable base unit. (95 references) (GLR)

Responds to criticism against the use of the oral proficiency interview for foreign language testing through examination of the concept of logic and language testing, components of speaking ability, and the limits of linguistic theory. (20 references) (CB)