Grammar is the public aspect of language, the rules that make for "correctness." It comprises the linguistic rules that must be mastered if the general interest is to be served. As such, the rules of grammar have to be clear-cut in their application and definable in objective terms. (MLW)

Surveys 40 middle-school language-arts teachers in 3 local public school districts. Finds that (1) most teachers believed it was important for their students to master grammar; and (2) teachers spend considerable time teaching grammar. Argues that grammar deserves a prominent place in the middle school curriculum. (RS)

In tracing the development of language curriculum in public schools, one discovers that prior to the twentieth century grammar was the center of linguistic attention. Around the beginning of the century, psychologists and others were doing research on the supposed efficacious results of such study and were finding that such supposed results were…

Records an interview with Pit Corder, retired chair of Applied Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh, in which he reflects on the implications for language teaching and learning of recent research into second language acquisition and language transfer, as well as on the status of applied linguistics in the mid-1980's. (Author/SED)

Suggests reintroducing Latin into the curriculum during the present educational trend of returning to the basics. A course is discussed called "Practical Latin," designed to deal directly with the areas where the students need the most help: vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. (NCR)

Lists the factors to be considered when planning an effective second-language study program in the United Kingdom. These factors include important new vocabulary words, language skills and grammatical structures; student ability; basic, core and extension material; student evaluation; timings for each activity; and extra resources and materials…

The effectiveness of accuracy-based programs in producing proficient second-language speakers and of proficiency-based programs in producing accurate speakers is debated. It is concluded that ways must be found to combine the advantages of both grammar-based and comprehension-oriented curricula. (Contains 10 references.) (LB)

Narrates an imaginary dream in which an instructor, newly crowned King of Composition, institutes, while providing rationales based on current research, these changes in the composition program: (1) have all teaching done in conference; (2) eliminate textbooks; (3) do not require grammatical and mechanical correctness; and (4) make writing part of…

Discusses the importance of articulation in teaching English as a foreign language in elementary and secondary schools in Italy, focusing in particular on coordination in the teaching of grammar. (CFM)

Discusses the use of computers for teaching foreign languages and for research purposes. Highlights include the ability of computers to analyze data and transactions with or without interacting with the learner; the learner's acquisition of grammatical concepts; and changes in the discipline and in curriculum development that may result from…

Discusses the problem of finding appropriate communication and grammar texts for English-as-a-second-language (ESL) business students. Notes that texts do exist; however, more needs to be done before English characteristics of business can be adequately presented to ESL students. Provides lists of available texts. (PD)

Reviews current approaches to second-language syllabus design in the United Kingdom and proposes a model for planning a five-year course of study within the national curriculum framework that will take account of both the meanings a learner may wish to express and the grammatical knowledge needed, i.e., a model reconciling the semantic and…

Elementary school teachers acknowledge the need for better writing instruction, but seldom have time for it within their already crowded curricula. Writing instruction suffers from placing skills development before writing activities, from emphasis on reading, and because many teachers are not well prepared to teach writing. A low priority is…

Discusses philosophical considerations that should be taken into account when developing materials to teach programing at elementary and secondary levels and outlines a learning environment based on these considerations. Philosophical considerations discussed relate to programing strategies, motivation, curriculum materials, continuity, visual and…

This new method for teaching college English in India is based on prior assumptions but is given a justification and a methodological framework previously lacking. The method, which lies somewhere between the manipulative control and regimentation employed at the school level and the total freedom of the existing college method, is described in…