The field of English as a second language has gone through a number of changes in the last decades and has seen extreme adjustments throughout the methods of teaching and curriculum planning. This article finds the relevance of the old methods to the new methods. After providing the background it becomes apparent that almost all the older methods…

Author considers relationship between linguistics and language teaching in reference to how linguistics can provide information (grammar, error analysis, acceptable deviations, standard performance, semantic theory, and test measurements) for language teacher. With a good linguistic background, the teacher is in a position to assess implications…

Argues that literature should have a place in the foreign language classroom even at the beginning level. It aids in clarifying vocabulary, grammatical structures and certain cultural idiosyncracies. (Text is in German.) (TL)

Paper delivered at the Biennial Conference of the New England Modern Language Teachers' Association in October 1971. (DS)

Relates the central ideas of Wilhelm Vietor to their historical context, since he was the dominant figure of his time, in the history of applied linguistics. Author shows how Vietor's reforms of foreign language teaching found acceptance in subsequent language teaching, particularly in Germany. (SL)

Text is in German.

Reexamines the theoretical presuppositions of current pedagogical second-language approaches, and questions certain assumptions that have been generally accepted. It is shown that the lack of a theoretical base for current approaches has led to weaknesses in second-language acquisition philosophy, language curriculum structuring, and the role of…

This paper first addresses the issue of the contradictory nature of informed opinion and advice in the foreign language field today. It goes on to consider such controversial topics as the introduction of the written symbol, teaching the language versus teaching about it, teaching culture, the usefulness of FLES, and individualization. The…

Most textbooks for teaching foreign languages have as their basis a grammatical syllabus. The theory has been that it is easier for students to learn a language if they are exposed to one part of the grammatical system at a time. Recently critics have questioned this theory, arguing that the grammatical syllabus fails to provide the necessary…

Presents essential principles to consider when designing free-form remedial/tutorial program courseware for second language learning. They include: (1) adaptability, in terms of instruction requirements and user population needs; (2) user-friendliness, to reduce machine-induced fears; (3) sophistication in error analysis; and (4) flexibility, to…

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES INHERENT IN CURRENT METHODS OF MODERN LANGUAGE TEACHING ARE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PEDAGOGY DERIVED FROM THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF LANGUAGE. THE IMPACT OF PHILOGICAL AND LINGUISTIC STUDIES OF "EXOTIC LANGUAGES" ON TRADITIONAL GRAMMATICAL CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE…

THE TEACHING OF THE NATIVE LANGUAGE CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE MAJOR MODES--THE PRESCRIPTIVE, THE DESCRIPTIVE, AND THE PRODUCTIVE. PRESCRIPTIVE TEACHING PROCEEDS FROM TWO (SUSPECT) ASSUMPTIONS--(1) THAT THERE ARE ABSOLUTE STANDARDS UNANIMOUSLY KNOWN AND SHARED BY EDUCATED ADULTS, TO WHICH A STUDENT'S LANGUAGE SHOULD ATTAIN, AND (2) THAT…

This book is one in a series of practical guides for teaching foreign languages. Designed for future teachers of Spanish in high school or at the undergraduate level, as well as for practicing teachers who are interested in keeping up with the latest material in their field, this book re-evaluates foreign-language teaching methodology in the light…