This book highlights the roles of several individual difference (ID) variables on the language learning process, exploring them from both the students' and the teachers' perspectives. It presents the results of a large-scale, mixed-methods investigation which was conducted with secondary school pupils and their teachers in Hungary. The…

This system for describing teaching events is intended to facilitate the analysis of classroom observations for purposes of comparing, documenting, or evaluating different instructional techniques. The typology is designed to describe a wide range of settings and teaching styles. The descriptors are organized into two groups that simultaneously…

Discusses the value of having occasional native speakers visit the second language classroom as a way of providing students with an opportunity to use their second language. (EKN)

French is no longer considered the sole property of France's inhabitants; it is shared by 40 or so diverse peoples all over the world. If French language instruction is to be modern and effective, it must reflect this worldwide phenomenon and the cultural and linguistic diversity inherent in it. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the role of foreign language teacher as a facilitator of learning who must assume responsibility for preclassroom decisions to match learners' needs and aptitudes; act in role of organizer for students to work independently; adopt role of co-communicator in discussions or role-playing; and create supportive atmosphere in classroom. (BK)

Discusses classroom techniques that strengthen reader strategies for discourse comprehension. (EKN)

A model of foreign language education is presented that takes into account the complexity of instruction itself and the dimensions added by interaction of teacher, learner, institution, materials, and environment. Uncertainty is seen as a by-product of complexity, and innovation and variation in instructional practice are ways of dealing with…

Using examples from a conversation between birds, drawn from a story, the importance of nonverbal aspects of conversation is examined. Several kinds of nonverbal cues are discussed, including the common history of the interlocutors, their current relationship, turn taking, and the interplay of these factors. (MSE)

Discusses criteria for selecting songs for use in English as a second language lessons. Suggests some class activities based on the songs such as acting out lyrics, discussing the meaning of songs, and doing exercises such as fill-in-the-blanks and dictations. (EKN)

Discusses the use of gesture and nonverbal communication techniques as a way to (1) involve students in more direct use of the target language, (2) increase teacher control over class atmosphere, (3) provide smoother transition and pace, and (4) provide a closer student-teacher rapport. (EKN)

Presents guidelines for organization of conversation groups and suggests conversational activities for first year of language study including directed dialogs, use of questions, telephone vocabulary, and restaurant activities. Emphasizes importance of teacher supervision of, rather than participation in, conversational activities. (Author/BK)

Discusses the communicative approach to foreign language instruction and provides information on communication exercises. (AG)

Organization of a language teacher's time and space encompasses such aspects as the room, spatial noise, furniture, equipment, time, lessons, and student motivation. (CNP)

The lesson review is described as a tool that will allow language teachers to gain insights into the effectiveness of their lessons. It may help teachers build up complex cognitive schemata on the teaching/learning process. Sample lesson plans and reviews are provided. (Contains 21 references.) (LB)

Foreign language teachers can tap the appeal of video successfully and enjoyably in the foreign language classroom. Potential difficulties include length of feature films and difficulty in understanding the language and story simultaneously. The instructor must select materials and equipment carefully and commit considerable time and energy to…