The foreign language instruction in the United States has followed a paradigm commonly called the "audio-lingual" method for almost twenty years. This paradigm is basically response-oriented and based upon structural linguistics and behavioral psychology. It focuses attention on speaking as the primary skill. It has not lived up to expectations.…

ALTHOUGH EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, THE PRIMARY AIM OF THIS BOOK IS TO SERVE AS A GUIDE FOR TEACHERS OF ANY FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. LINGUISTIC PRINCIPLES AS THEY RELATE TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ARE REVIEWED, AS WELL AS THE TYPES OF LEARNING WHICH RELATE TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION. THE…

Examines the expectations and effectiveness of second language (French) education in Canada. Recommends curriculum modifications and program redirection focusing on positive attitude formation and ear training to stimulate continued language study. (NEC)

Presents the results of a questionnaire (in appendix) that asked 1,388 students to identify their perceptual learning style preferences. Analyses of the questionnaires indicated that nonnative speakers' learning style preferences often differ significantly from those of native speakers. Many variables are related to differences in learning styles…

This study investigated the effects of phonological processing on vocabulary development of learners of English as a Second Language. A list of 30 relatively unfamiliar academic English words of from 1-4 syllables was developed. A control group of 28 subjects, first-year students in a University of Hong Kong English enhancement course, were given…

One of the major problems of secondary school second language teachers in British Columbia is providing work that a student can do individually, leaving the teacher free for other students. It is rare that individual work includes oral-aural practice. A teaching method is presented that allows individualized instruction without sacrificing…

The following articles on second language teaching techniques, English as a second language, and cross cultural communication are included: (1) "'Honne' and 'Tatemae': Tools for Developing Communicative Competence in a Second Language," by Gregory J. Thompson; (2) "Using Video-Taped Movies with Advanced ESOL Students," by…

During his sabbatical leave, the author traveled to Guam, the Trust Territory of the Pacific, and Japan to observe English-language programs. He reports on the contacts that he made and the programs that he observed. He gives his general impressions of the English-language activity in each location and makes several recommendations as a result of…

An analysis of French oral proficiency and guidelines for evaluating and testing the development of such proficiency in learning French as a second language are the keynotes of this dissertation. The speech patterns (structural complexity, rate of production, and hesitation) of three groups of French students with various levels of audiolingual…

Interpreting, or oral translation, can be used in undergraduate second language study as a technique for developing oral skills. The technique can produce both sound linguistic judgment and confident oral and written performance that last beyond testing. It integrates four essential elements of oral/aural skills: comprehension, phonology/fluency,…

Special emphasis is placed on the potential of dialog learning in a discussion of a sequence of activities and materials appropriate for developing the recognition and selection levels of activity involved in listening to a foreign language. Also referred to are the (1) procedural features of presentation, (2) emotional problems possibly resulting…

This guide describes well-established and practical pedagogical behaviors for a foreign language teacher in an ordinary situation, a classroom with 20-35 pupils who are beginning the study of a foreign language in school or college. The first chapter, "The Five Stages," discusses the stages through which an item (a word, construction, or idiom) in…

Skills in comprehending the spoken language source are becoming increasingly important due to the audio-visual orientation of our culture. It would seem natural, therefore, to adjust the learning goals and environment accordingly. The video-cassette machine is an ideal means for creating this learning environment and developing the listening…

Understanding spontaneous speech is a very difficult task for many foreign students. They must be taught to use all the ethnographic cues available to enable them to predict the likely content of a text. They must predict not only the factual content of spoken language but also the interactional structuring. (Author/CFM)

This bibliography with 1,273 entries is an updated supplement to the preliminary 1997 bibliography on informal adult learning. It is a useful resource guide for those interested in publications (e.g. academic papers, government reports, grassroots publications) aimed at furthering understanding of how learning and teaching takes place in different…