Focuses on sociolinguistic competence--the ability to produce and understand the appropriate remark at the appropriate time--particularly language variability and how teachers often deal with it in instruction. Highlights linguistic variables, teacher-talk characteristics, and rate of speech. (Author/VWL)

Focuses on the acquisition of sociolinguistic competence by second language learners during a period of study abroad. Various aspects of sociolinguistic competence are discussed and some of the principal factors that affect it are described. (Author/VWL)