Discusses whether the proficiency approach to teaching Arabic, which is now advocated, is really functional enough to suit true needs of students, and whether the debate concerning proficiency is becoming so polarized as to make impossible real discussion of the issues. Trends and changes that have occurred in the Arabic language over the decades…

Common pitfalls encountered in the teaching of Latin composition are attributed variously to inadequate grammar-explanation approaches, ill-planned textbooks, and certain translation exercises from English to Latin. Other weaknesses, particularly the English-Latin vocabulary problem, are discussed. The author resolves problematic areas through the…

English language education in Colombia has been improved because the teachers have organized professional associations and have received assistance and support from the Colombian and United States governments to improve teaching methods, teacher preparation, and teaching materials. With the help of the University of California at Los Angeles, the…

Describes a study comparing two methods of teaching English as a foreign language in France: a traditional and an audiovisual method. The research methodology is described in detail. The central question is not which method is better, but who benefits most from the method used. (AMH)

Presents a case study investigating whether there is any connection between university entrance examinations in English as a Second Language in Japan and the prevalence of grammar-translation teaching there. Findings reveal that teacher factors, such as educational background, personal beliefs, and teaching experience may outweigh the possible…

The question in English-As-Second-Language (ESL) classrooms is not whether a teaching method is good or not, but whether the teacher knows how, for what purpose, for what kind of students, and in what language situation a particular method is used to enhance learning effectively. In teaching English to Chinese students at Xi'an Foreign Language…

The methodology reported in this paper argues for a synthesis of various theories and methods. First, a synopsis is given of the pedagogical and linguistic approaches that should underlie a successful attempt to teach the contrast in two verb tenses in Portuguese. Secondly, a contrast unique to Portuguese is examined and a multistage approach for…

RESEARCH HAS NOT YET YIELDED CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE TO PROVE THE SUPERIORITY OF THE AUDIOLINGUAL APPROACH TO LANGUAGE TEACHING OVER THE TRADITIONAL, GRAMMAR-TRANSLATION METHOD. COLLABORATION ON EXPERIMENTATION BY TRAINED PSYCHOLOGISTS AND LANGUAGE TEACHERS COULD YIELD THE RELIABLE AND USEFUL DATA NEEDED TO MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS ABOUT IMPROVING…

Trends, developments, and special needs in foreign language instruction are discussed in this speech. Priority is given to a definition and evaluation of the language skills, and suggestions are included for mastering listening, speaking, reading, and writing aspects of second languages. Related topics of culture, literature, linguistics, language…

This review of the state of foreign language education in the United States notes that early grammar-translation methods gave way to the Army Method during World War II. Students learned both inductively and deductively and acquired primarily oral-aural competence, with reading and writing as secondary goals. Not until the late 1950s did the…

This annotated bibliography lists books printed and published in the United States of America for use in teaching Spanish and Portuguese in high school and college by students whose first language is English. As a sequel to the Arjona "A Bibliography of Textbooks of Spanish Published in the United States (1795-1939)," this publication contains…

Pattern practice, as a functional part of the audiolingual and grammar translation methods of language instruction, is described. Characteristics and limitations of repetition, substitution, transformation, and translation drills are outlined. (AF)

Suggestions are offered for teaching languages during the transitional period from the audiolingual level to the reading and writing proficiency level. The importance of developing listening comprehension is stressed, and it is suggested that traditional grammar and translation methods be integrated into the language program. Special attention is…

Discussion focuses on the widespread alienation of students from the foreign language experience while referring to methodological factors underlying this syndrome and to the uncertainty of the status that foreign language instruction has today in the classroom. A causal relationship is suggested to exist between students' alienation and the…

A course in technical Russian is shown to differ from the usual language course in aims (translation, not oral skills), rate, caliber and motivation of student, demands on the background of the teacher, and material used. A sample outline of class procedure is included. (GK)