Describes how computer software captures and makes available for auditory observation and learning the variety of sound shapes that words take on in fast speech. A case study illustrates a teaching procedure that can aid learners' perception and comprehension of fast speech in a foreign language and calls for electronic publication of standard…

Evaluates software developed for advanced learners of a second language. The software uses the target language (German) exclusively, brings together language and literature teaching, and includes a large variety of written exercises with scored feedback. Findings reveal that students are enthusiastic about using this multimedia program and…

Twelve subjects in university-level beginning Japanese were interviewed bi-monthly to determine how propositional negation emerged in their interlanguage. Findings show varied negation patterns were used over time and that an ordering effect was observed in the predicate environment in which negation is acquired first.(19 references) (Author/CK)

Questions the validity of Munby's (1978) approach to analyzing learners' language needs. The results of a study at Hasanuddin University (Indonesia) suggest that a two-stage analysis may be appropriate to explore an organization's complexity and dynamism, and then to target the specific language needs of the constituent units. (Author/CB)

Reviews a number of second-language (L2) classroom-based research projects undertaken at the University of Stirling in Scotland. It is argued that a full understanding of classroom-based L2 learning requires the integration of sociolinguistic studies of the classroom context with psycholinguistic studies of second language acquisition. (Author/VWL)

Discusses a case study of student diaries kept by second-year learners of Portuguese in a university Hispanic studies degree program. Diary entries reflected students' attitudes toward the course, the instructor, particular lessons, and to the Portuguese language in general. (15 references) (MDM)

Communicative language teaching and self-directed learning is discussed, followed by an introduction of an analytical framework for designing a task using Nunan's framework. A case study is reported from the National University of Singapore with 220 first-year Japanese language students. Suggestions are made for course and task designers. (12…

Examines the sociocultural-linguistic processes involved in writing stories in English and French for 2 bilingual children, aged 10 and 11, in Quebec. Points out differences between the children in their views of play, schooling, and story creation. Proposes a unity of process across both languages that is mirrored in the writing of first- and…

A discussion of the Linguistic Coding Deficit Hypothesis presents an overview of the theory; describes five prototypes of second-language learners, each illustrated by a distinct language processing profile; and examines how the ability to identify prototypes can help teachers interpret student difficulties and design instruction to address them.…

Case study of second language acquisition presents a Chinese mother's observations of her daughter over a 5-month period following immigration to Hawaii. Language minority parents' positive attitudes toward both first and second languages and cultures, and supportive interactions with their children at home are important to the children's…

A case study of an adult male Mandarin learner of English as a Second Language investigated the his writing processes, thinking processes, and quality of writing to ascertain whether using a computer for writing promotes higher-level revisions and improves the quality of compositions. Found computers helped the learner stay on task longer and…

Presents an English for specific purposes (ESP) case study that took place in a specialized business context involving senior German bankers. Reflects the common situation of many overworked English-as-a-Foreign-Language teachers who are under prepared for their ESP assignment, and offers recommendations for both published and authentic materials…

Background: To assess the prevalence of obesity, obesity-related binge eating, non-obesity-related binge eating, and night eating in five- to six-year-old children and to examine the impact of parental eating disturbances. Methods: When 2020 children attended their obligatory health exam prior to school entry in the city of Aachen, Germany, 1979…

International schools are increasingly identifying Functionally Multi-Lingual children in their student populations. These students, bilingual or multilingual at surface levels of conversation, have not established academic competence in any single language. In many cases, the teacher may assume that another, more robust language exists, when in…

This case study aims to investigate the role of teachers' personal practical knowledge in interactive decision making for three pre-service non-native ESL teachers. The research question is: What role does pre-service ESL teachers' personal practical knowledge (operationalized as teaching maxims in this study) play in their interactive decisions…