Demonstrates how Sector Analysis theory can serve as a model for the contrastive analysis of the grammars of any two languages. Examples are provided for English and Hausa. (AM)

Discusses ways of teaching complementary pronouns in Spanish, includinq pronouns of direct objects, reflexive verbs, and indirect objects. (NCR)

Presents a method for the systematic teaching of prosodic features, particularly in French, based on a general theory of intonation and on the use of a pitch visualizer. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Evaluates arguments advanced in favor of special nativism in second-language acquisition (SLA). The article considers the following claims: Universal Grammar (UG) is the null hypothesis; any theory of SLA needs a theory of grammar; and showing that interlanguage grammars are underdetermined by the available input implies that UG must be accessible…

Investigates the relative effect of two types of explicit grammar instruction on learners' ability to interpret and produce sentences containing the French causative. Indicates processing instruction is as effective as traditional instruction in enabling learners to interpret the French causative; traditional instruction is more effective in…

A reassessment of the role of negative evidence in nonnative language acquisition argues that the grammar-building process cannot make use of negative evidence to restructure interlanguage grammars, and that second-language learners do not unlearn verb movement but extend the pattern with which they are already familiar. (46 references) (Author/CB)

In this study, a sentence interpretation experiment based on Bates and MacWhinney's Competition Model was administered to second language learners of English and Chinese at three different stages of learning. Examined how transfer patterns at the sentence processing level change as a function of proficiency and investigates whether or how transfer…

Examines sentence comprehension in second language learners using event-related brain potentials. Japanese speakers who had learned German as a second language after puberty listened to German sentences that were either correct, semantically incorrect, syntactically incorrect or both semantically and syntactically incorrect, Brain responses were…

This study views structure-dependence as a Universal Grammar (UG) principle and explores how and why children are able to attain the target grammar, in this case, the subject-auxiliary inversion rule. The hypothesis was tested that second language (L2) acquisition is guided by UG. In other words, L2 learners also adopt the structure-dependent…

Transformational grammar is briefly defined in this paper, and some of the key literature on the subject is indicated. Examples of transformational operation on Spanish sentences are used to demonstrate how this approach makes the teaching-learning process easier and more efficient. (SS)

Presents a scheme for formulating correct sentences involving article and adjective endings, with specific suggestions for teaching noun phrases. Recommends also that the basic rules governing the choice of endings be taught, parallel with the students' progress. (IFS/WGA)

This lesson plan for a Spanish class includes a vocabulary list, a grammar discussion with questions and a poem followed by analytical questions. (NCR)

Associating a clear function with verb forms will minimize difficulties for ESL learners. One important function in most learning situations is description. An area of "core description" pivoting on the stem and stem plus "s" verb forms can be established and learners can express most concepts in core terms. (CHK)