This article deals with the issue of gaining proficiency in oral expression in a second language. A functional approach to teaching oral proficiency is outlined, an approach which focuses on the audience as a determining factor in the speaker's linguistic output. Claims in the article are based on an experiment in the teaching of oral proficiency…

This basic textbook for Latin American Spanish contains 10 units. The text is adaptable for use in an academic institution (Completion time is expected to be one year.), in an intensive program (Completion time is about 90-120 hours.), or in independent study. The vocabulary is limited and only basic, essential, grammatical structures are…

This paper is part of a series presented at the symposium on a European units/credits system for modern language learning to adults. Included are a list of 58 modules or units of study, together with some indication of real-life situations in which the skills associated with the modules could be used. These modules have to be further divided so…

This course concentrates on the geographic location of the Roman Empire, the Roman personality, the family organization, foods, and eating customs. The cultural background is presented in English and dialogues; mottoes and songs in Latin are included. Much emphasis is placed on English derivatives and on the comparison between Roman and…

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…

This introductory text is designed to prepare teachers of English as a Second Language to teach speech skills. The first three chapters explore general issues in relation to spoken language and speech instruction. The first chapter examines the nature of spoken language, and why and how we learn our native language. The second focuses on…

It is argued that slowed-down speech is a useful tool for teaching both listening comprehension and pronunciation to students of English as a second language. For listening comprehension, introduction of more, and longer pauses at grammatical boundaries allows more time for processing speech. The greater number of accented words and shorter…

Reviews the findings of some recent research on reading rate, comprehension, and subvocal speech; discusses how computer-assisted instruction can be used to help readers develop reading strategies for proficiency; and examines the implications of the research for software development, including drill and practice, reading process practice at…

A study investigated Japanese college students' perceptions and assessments of their college English classes, and to what factors they attribute difficulty in acquiring oral English. Subjects were 189 students from a junior college and a university, in first- through third-year English conversation classes. Most were English majors required to…

There are several sides to the debate between adult basic education administrators and teachers concerning the practice of defining literacy by, and dividing adult education programs into, grade levels. Some believe that grade levels are irrelevant or demeaning to typical adult job requirements. Others believe that numerical scores derived by…

In the first report, dated August 1991, assessment of three language tests is reported. The tests were developed and are used as part of a Los Angeles Unified School District (California) program to teach mainstream American English (MAE) to speakers of African American Language (AAL). The tests include a writing assessment (grades 3-6) and two…

The report and review of literature discusses instructional and assessment practices associated with limited-English-proficient (LEP) adults, and recommends that literacy providers use alternative forms of instruction and assessment for this population that are based on: (1) an explicit emphasis on writing; (2) use of the learner's own cultural…

This curriculum guide was developed for a 150-week worker-centered, holistic course in language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) for workers at the Juno Lighting plant in Chicago, many of whom are immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, and other Latin American countries. The curriculum is a guide to lesson planning and topic…

This manual assists teachers in providing adaptations for disabled and disadvantaged students to ensure their success in the regular vocational classroom and to meet requirements of the new vocational education standards in Iowa, which call for a competency-based curriculum. Introductory pages include strategies for teaching special needs…

A study examined the oral language skills needed in a second language to communicate effectively with native speakers. The first part of the study is an analysis of the concept of oral intercultural communication proficiency, particularly as an objective of language instruction. The second part of the study consisted of a survey of native speakers…