Describes preception-oriented foreign language teaching strategies by listing the characteristic features of the perception of social processes and the methods for putting the principles of perception orientation into practice through such techniques as dialogues, roleplays, and simulation. Includes extensive bibliographic references. (PMJ)

Outlines sample exercises developed in a program designed to teach minimal (threshold level) competencies based on students' communication needs and the concept of a notional syllabus. (AM)

Describes the functional/notional approach to language instruction, discussing key features, misconceptions, and practical applications of the model. (AM)

Describes a curriculum based on a notional-functional process used to assist advanced ESL students in handling real-life situations. Suggestions for central and spin-off topics include: goals setting, values clarification, the world of work, and apartment hunting. The course forces the authentic use of English and teaches several skills. (PMJ)

Sets out the advantages of a functional/notional syllabus as opposed to a grammatical syllabus. Presents topics around which to build a functional/notional syllabus in teaching college-level French. Makes suggestions, based on students' perception of their communicative needs, for the sequencing of these materials. (PMJ)

Alberta's curriculum guide for French immersion programs outlines the programs' rationale and objectives and the content of the oral language, reading, and writing components for six years. An introductory section discusses the aim of developing language competence and recent theory on competence. The role of language as an instrument of…

An examination of materials development for independent study in listening comprehension of English as a second language (ESL) begins with an outline of current directions in second language instruction. The discussion that follows has two parts. The first is a review of some changing perspectives on the role of listening in language learning and…

A teacher training packet (teacher's edition) on methods and techniques for communicative competence in bilingual education is presented. In addition to state-of-the-art reviews, the packet contains: a course syllabus, a pretest and answer key, a glossary, learning objectives, learning activities, a notional-functional taxonomy, diagrams of the…

Spanish for Agricultural Purposes is a set of study materials designed to furnish experience in Spanish for North American agriculturalists preparing to work in Latin America. The materials were developed in the University of Illinois' Language Learning Laboratory (LLL). They consist of (1) a basic manual based on specimens of agricultural writing…

The use of speech or language produced by native speakers in real situations for teaching oral communication skills in the second language classroom is described. Three sample lessons, based on the author's teaching experience in Japan, are presented. All lessons used material called "The Bellcrest Story," produced by the British…

A discussion linking theory and practice in second language instruction focuses on ways of providing opportunities for meaningful interaction in language classrooms. The first part lays a theoretical foundation, looking at: the variety and evolution of instructional approaches from grammar-based to communicative; the classroom as environment for…