Ofsted's (2021) Curriculum research review for languages (OCRR) draws conclusion on what 'high-quality language education' may look like. This opinion piece problematises the status of these conclusions as 'features' or recommendations. Before delving into a selection of identified 'features' in more depth, the author highlights the complexity of…

This article reflects on the epistemological steamrolling that the 2021 Ofsted Curriculum Research Review (OCRR) accomplishes: in part, by the positioning of the problem and solution through highly selective cherry-picking (omitting key causal factors); in part, through the discursive move of acknowledging complexity before offering simple and…

The Languages Review Consultation Report recommends exploiting the potential of communications technology for the enhancement of curricular offerings. Newly developed instructional software is credited with opening doors to the cultures of young people while serving as an infinitely patient and supportive tutor. Thus, in the UK as in the US,…

This article questions the presentation of rules in the classroom and explores some of the different senses of the term "rule." After making some basic distinctions, the article considers implications for the classroom and suggests there is no single approach to the presentation of grammar rules, and that learners should be encouraged to…

Discusses some of the complex questions differentiation raises that have been glossed over as unproblematical and questions some of the assumptions underlying differentiation that have remained unchallenged. Areas needing further research are discussed. (13 references) (CK)

Defines continuous role playing in foreign language teaching suggestopedia (as practiced in Bulgaria); discusses how to achieve and sustain it; and considers its advantages, disadvantages and relevance. The article notes that the balancing role of the teacher is crucial to the techniques employed in the classroom dialogs. (10 references) (CK)

Addresses the application of corpus resources and research methods, through concordance programs, to vocabulary study in second-language programs. The article attempts to demonstrate that a corpus linguist's use of his access to large quantities of data to observe the relational and distributional properties of linguistic phenomena can be usefully…

Discusses options for approaching a literary text with A-level students. The author states that the appropriate method exists in the OUDLE syllabus, which grants the teacher freedom to decide what to emphasize, permitting students to participate actively in the class, expressing themselves in the target language on such issues as drugs,…

Focuses on the teaching of language "per se," in the part of the lesson that often precedes work with a passage and the interactional activities that result from that exploitation. The optimum three-way split between formal language work, grammar-awareness raising, and communicative activities will vary from class to class. (CK)

Examines the Internet's value for second-language learners, arguing for the establishment of a set of criteria with which teachers and students could more confidently optimize the Internet's value. The paper presents four case studies, drawn from experiences at the University of Limerick in Ireland, that illustrate some Internet applications (as a…

Focuses on beginner foreign-language classes at the university level with the goal of identifying the types of learners who participate in "languages for all" programs and how their needs can best be addressed during the first weeks of the course. Students' initial learning needs to be compensated by the development of various kinds of awareness…

Considers different approaches to teaching culture within foreign language (FL) classes in Great Britain with the object of making a realistic suggestion on how to integrate language and culture. Particular focus is on FL students at the lower and intermediate levels, where cultural input is often omitted. (six references) (CK)

Discusses criteria to apply to key aspects of the inspection and monitoring process in modern language instruction. Quality assurance includes assessment of the whole learning environment. Ten characteristics of a good modern language lesson are listed. (six references) (CK)

Offers practical suggestions for a coherent approach to the teaching of grammar in foreign language classrooms. As a context for the ideas offered, the article synthesizes some of the views expressed by recent writers on this subject. The model outlined provides a basis for work designed to focus more on accurate use of language than on…

Examines the criterion according to which the value of literary studies has been measured. The impact of new methodologies for the study of literature and the extension of culturally oriented studies to include more contemporary literature, film, and texts have greatly facilitated collaboration with language learning. (four references) (CK)