Explains how traditional materials available to most teachers can be a point of departure for a program which focuses on communicative competence and suggests ways of incorporating computer programs, slide/sound presentations, and conversational activities into the curriculum. (EKN)

Describes applications of speech processing equipment that can communicate clearly with students about the patterns of sound and can teach students to monitor their own progress in second language acquisition. Discusses equipment being used at West Chester University (Pennsylvania) for learning pronunciation and stress in several different…

The program used by French-language teachers at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland) to develop software for students' independent study is described, and the process of creating an interactive exercise is illustrated. The ease and flexibility of authoring is highlighted. (MSE)

A discussion of computer use for teaching English as a second language (ESL) at the college level examines what computers can do in and outside the classroom and why ESL teachers should become acquainted with them. It begins by defining the various tools and tasks of the computer, including word processors, instructional courseware, database…

A French curriculum development and research project at Erindale College (Canada), established in 1985, studies and initiates incorporation of computer technology into the University of Toronto French program. Specific objectives include evaluation and adaptation of existing software, development of an undergraduate course in computer applications…

Examines how sound spectrographs provide students learning a second language direct, visual feedback that is more useful than instructors' comments on articulation. Shows spectrographs of words pronounced by native and non-native English speakers. Argues this real-time acoustic analysis is less frustrating and more productive than traditional…

A college-level introductory Spanish instructional system uses an interactive combination of microcomputer and program-stop tape recorder to enhance students' listening skills. The basic content is listening drills, adapted to the computer medium. Microcomputer use adds considerable versatility to instructional materials, including such features…

The journal for teachers of Celtic languages in the United States and Canada contains six articles. "Motivation and Gender: A Welsh Case Study" (Christine M. Jones) examines data on characteristics of one group of students of Welsh, focusing on gender-related motivational differences. "Morphological Objects" (Annette…

A collection of readings on communicative language teaching explains what communicative language teaching is and how the goal of communicative competence is being met by teachers. The following articles are included:"Functional Approaches to Language and Language Teaching: Another Look" (Margie S. Berns); "Contextual Considerations in…