Focuses on the relationship between involuntary verbal rehearsal, Piaget's egocentric speech, Vygotsky's inner speech, and the song stuck in my head phenomena. It is hypothesized that song may act as a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) activator or be a strategy of the LAD in the ontogenetic development of language. (28 references) (Author/VWL)

Discusses theories of motivation in foreign language learning especially as an interactional, dynamic process focusing on how diffuse needs become channeled into wants through behavior itself. Sociological issues involved include the personality model of the learner and the institutional setting where language is being taught. (Author/BK)

Reports on a qualitative study conducted in the Japanese foreign language context about good foreign language learners, in which strategy use is analyzed in 67 books reporting on "how I have learned a foreign language." Results suggest that there are strategies especially favored in the Japanese foreign language context and that the issue of some…

Discusses the distinction between formal and contextual guessing of vocabulary in second-language learning. It is argued that formal guessing is more helpful and reliable than contextual guessing. (Author/VWL)

This study was conducted in a private language school in Auckland, New Zealand to investigate the relationship between course level and reported frequency of language learning strategy use by speakers of other languages and to look for patterns of strategy use according to course level and other learner variables (Author/VWL)

Presents a new approach to understanding and using cognitive styles to enhance individual language learning. Introduces a new construct (Ehrman & Leaver, 2002) and illustrates it with two student cases. (Author/VWL)

In contrast to the usual approach to teaching grammar, this article argues for a comprehension-based approach. Based on a model of second-language acquisition, it examines a number of possible goals for grammar instruction (e.g., to promote "intake" of new grammatical features by helping learners notice input features and comprehend the meaning).…

Reviews research regarding the role of correction feedback in second-language acquisition, exploring why, what, and how language should be corrected and who should correct language. (Author/CB)

The research base for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is disturbingly small, with serious obstacles that limit much of the research's relevance to the practitioner. Practitioners and researchers must expand this research base to fully explore the many uses of CALL in the field. (CB))

Despite its clear advantages, international broadcasting is a neglected technology in the promotion and learning of foreign languages. With good electronic reception and, thus, effective listening, the potential usefulness is great in the areas of oral receptive language skills, language acquisition, and cross-cultural understanding. (SL)

Critically reviews some important attempts at needs analysis which have been made in the last 10 years and identifies strengths and weaknesses of needs analysis at the present stage of its development. Suggests that there is currently no objective method of analyzing learner needs. (EKN)

Presents a bibliography on computer assisted language learning. Most citations are post-1997 journal articles and book publications. (Author/VWL)

The hand computer, which combines word cards with a repetition system, has yielded positive results for memorizing words in foreign language learning. This system is superior to memorizing lists and is flexible in terms of both contents and type of learner. (Contains 34 references.) (JP)

Examines the relationship between and the relevance of second language acquisition (SLA) and language testing (LT). The relevance of LT to SLA is examined based on written interviews with leading scholars in SLA who were asked about the relevance of LT to their work. (Author/VWL)

Evaluates John Oller's contribution to a theory of language testing, particularly his provision of detailed empirical work. Argues that Oller's work is of sufficient importance for serious flaws to be noted. Three flaws are discussed in the areas of communication, pragmatics, authenticity, and the unifactorial/one best test approach. (Author/SED)