The chapters in "Explorations in Second Language Reading" reveal the importance of reading in the classroom and how instructors can use reading as a bridge to improve learners' other linguistic and interpersonal skills. Most significantly, each author prompts us to rediscover how enjoyable ESOL reading can be and how it can increase learner…

Four aspects of English pragmatics that are often puzzling to students of English as a Second Language (ESL) are discussed and exemplified: certain mechanics (ellipsis; blended words; a-grammaticality); vague superordinates (generic verbs such as "get,""let,""do,""be,""have"; preposition with metaphoric extension such as "up,""in,""off,""through";…

Finds that dictation exercises are insufficiently used in foreign language teaching. They serve many purposes, e.g., in tests, as introduction to texts, and in recollection exercises. They may have various forms, such as dictation with blanks to fill in, transcription of song texts, etc. (IFS/WGA)

To help students practice and manipulate a newly learned language, games that help the teacher create contexts in which the language is useful and meaningful are presented in this book. The introduction provides answers to questions teachers may have--including why and for whom games are useful--and also offers practical pointers for explaining…

A discussion of French grammar instruction looks at the relationship between linguistic competence and communicative competence. It offers exercises emphasizing the logic of language, using four different approaches. Three of the exercises use texts (included), and the fourth requires the student to describe a room. (MSE)

A lesson designed to teach usage of pronoun case within a communicative paradigm in English as a Second Language is presented. The target population consists of adult, intermediate-level ESL students. The lesson begins with a chant to gain students' interest and create a relaxed learning atmosphere. Next follows a pantomime that illustrates the…

The manual is designed to be used in workshops to train English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers and contains a series of exercises for teaching reading comprehension, writing, and testing. An introductory section contains notes to workshop participants and facilitators. The exercises are then presented in three sections: reading comprehension;…

This book addresses what kind of analysis of spoken language is appropriate to the assessment and fostering of fluency at the various stages of a student's development. It is easy to define fluency in general terms, but it is difficult to discern what linguistic and paralinguistic options are involved. This book begins by exploring perceptions of…

A method for highlighting aspects of oral communication for French second-language learners is described. Students are videotaped mimicking a one-minute passage in French, which is recorded over the video. The dubbed student performance illustrates the role of body language, rhythm, intonation, and other factors in speech. (MSE)

Finds that motivation in the conversation course is fostered by careful selection of discussion material, narrow in scope and interesting to students rather than to teachers. Games, songs and experiments are desirable. Error correction is discussed, particularly of "Germanisms". It is suggested that sociolinguistics can contribute to motivation.…

This journal is an international review for researchers and teachers of modern Celtic languages. This volume contains seven articles. There are three research articles: "Issues in the Design of Irish Credited Courses" (Thomas W. Ihde); "Learning Irish for Participation in the Irish Language Speech Community outside the…

The guide describes classroom second language teaching techniques, based on materials developed for use in Peace Corps language training. They are primarily designed for listening and oral language skill development, but could be adapted for written language skill practice. The techniques are divided into two types: those for improving students'…

The instructional techniques and materials for classroom use presented are based on a three-tiered model for the practice of grammatical structures that avoids the common problem of trying to elicit normal, spontaneous conversation. Situations are devised that by their nature tend to evoke only particular structures. The first tier of the model…

Presents a model of a communication game involving adult learners in psychosocial roleplaying and decision making. Each adult develops a distinct character by continually making decisions and by relying on the other adults to add to the role-playing drama. In justifying character development choices, conversation skills are exercised. (PJM)

Believes current audiolingual approach to foreign language teaching lacks opportunities for spontaneous speech. Author shows why this is and offers suggestions such as oral exercises and games to compensate. (Author/BK)