Discusses the possibility of anxiety in response to foreign- or second-language reading. Introduces the construct of foreign-language reading anxiety, offers a scale for its measurement, and reports on a preliminary study of reading anxiety in 30 intact first-semester classes of Spanish, Russian, and Japanese. (VWL)

Addresses technical and learning issues relating to a formative implementation of a computer assisted language learning (CALL) browser-based intermediate Russian program. Instruction took place through a distance education implementation and in a grouped classroom using a local-area network. Learners indicated the software was clear, motivating,…

This study of first language Russian children acquiring English as a Second Language investigates the reasons behind omission of verbal inflection in second language (L2) acquisition and argues for presence of functional categories in second language grammar. Shows that child L2 learners, while omitting inflection, almost never produce incorrect…

Presents findings from a study that established a series of criteria for assessing the equity of gender representation in foreign-language textbooks, applied the criteria to a number of Russian textbooks to compare them on a basis as a case study, and considered the criteria as a basis for the examination of gender representation in…

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…

Previous studies have shown that phonological awareness correlates with children's reading aloud and also adults' literacy experience. More recent research has further suggested that phonological awareness is associated with the processing of spoken language, which is a correlate of reading comprehension. In this paper, I argue that phonological…

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…