This article compares previous language gain studies in foreign languages with new data on language gain in the instructed second language acquisition of Russian. The acquisition of listening, reading, speaking, and writing proficiency shows a significant correlation not only with hours of classroom instruction in immersion and nonimmersion…

This study explored the possibility of using an ACTFL oral proficiency interview (OPI) to assess the spoken proficiency of heritage language speakers of Russian for the purpose of placing them in Russian language classes. The authors also considered whether the norm of an educated native speaker could be used as a valid reference point for Russian…

In its fourth year, the computer-Focused Russian Bilingual Instructional Program provided instructional and support activities to 276 Russian-speaking students, most of whom are limited English proficient, at 4 public and 2 private high schools in Brooklyn. Instructional activities varied by site. Public school students took English as a Second…

This paper discusses an approach to foreign language teaching and learning that is being used to teach Russian to students at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and English to students at Moscow State University in Russia. The approach relies on an alphabetical list of nearly 4,000 cognates and semi-cognates recognizable in both languages,…

Criticizes current theory in the GDR, which sees three stages in FL learning: acquisition, solidifying, automatizing. Steps 1 and 3 need modifying. This is shown in the threefold division of a class hour ("Development of oral practice through variation of a dialog"). (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

To know the culture of a nation one must try to understand the emotional side of a people's character. In considering Russian culture, a study of politics, economics, and geography is insufficient for even beginning to understand the subtleties of the national character. Despite 60 years of Soviet regime, traditional Russian values persist and are…

This article reports on progress in three areas of research and development in computer-assisted language learning at Rutgers University: the IBM Coursewriter III used for grammar drills; ATS, used for tutorials; the devising of standardized routines and model statements. Accompanying charts illustrate the way computers are used for drills. (CLK)

The article underlines the necessity for a systematic approach to the development of learning comprehension skills. Through pilot testing, two distinctly different approaches (logical vs. psychological) are compared. Given the results in favor of the psychological approach, questions concerning its implementation and what should follow are raised.…

This course blueprint was first drawn up in 1968 and was later coordinated by the Department of Russian at Birmingham University. Problems of self-instructional courses, details of a particular Russian course and why it had to be changed, and possible improvements for similar course are given. (SC)

The following articles are presented in the section of the Northeast Conference Report on less frequently taught languages: (1) "American Sign Language," by M. Conwell and A. Nelson; (2) "Chinese," by D. Gidman; (3) "Japanese," by J. P. Berwald and T. Phipps; (4) "Latin," by M. Cleary; (5) "Portuguese," by R. Pedro Carvalho; and (6) "Russian," by…

THIS ARTICLE TRACES THE ORIGIN AND EVALUATION OF A SPECIAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING CONCEPT THAT EVOLVED OUT OF A SPECIFIC MILITARY NEED TO INTERROGATE NEWLY CAPTURED PRISONERS OF WAR TO ACQUIRE IMMEDIATE TACTICAL INFORMATION. THROUGH AN INITIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY, A REASONABLE SET OF VERBAL MATERIALS WAS SELECTED AS COURSE CONTENT, AND A…

IF STATISTICS WERE AVAILABLE ON THE DROPOUT RATE AND UNSATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS TAKING RUSSIAN, THEY WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT THE WIDELY HELD OPINION THAT RUSSIAN IS DIFFICULT. THE DIFFICULTY IS ATTRIBUTABLE LARGELY TO THE FACT THAT RUSSIAN IS NEITHER A GERMANIC NOR A ROMANCE LANGUAGE, AND STUDENTS THUS FIND IT HARD TO RECOGNIZE…

The precision and poetic logic of the language used by Anton Chekhov in his plays, particularly "The Sea Gull," can be explored through an analysis of his use of dialogue, characterization, and imagery. Measuring the nature of a relationship, rather than providing a direct literal interchange, the dialogue is both social, when individual…

WITH THE INTENTION OF APPLYING A MATHEMATICAL THEORY OF LEARNING TO SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION, A TWO-PART EXPERIMENT USING TWO SETS OF 20 STUDENTS WAS CONDUCTED AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY. IN EXPERIMENT I THE SS (SUBJECTS) WERE ASKED TO DISTINGUISH DIFFERENCE OR SAMENESS IN PAIRS OF INITIAL RUSSIAN SYLLABLES. THESE 144 SYLLABLES WERE GROUPED INTO…

A study was made of the usage by American scientists of selected Russian scientific journals which were translated under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation and other agencies. Study data were compiled by making a physical count of the German, French, Russian and total citations which appeared in six U.S. scientific journals for the…