This article presents a critical overview of research studies which link foreign language aptitude to grammar. It starts by covering fundamental issues--of the structure of aptitude and its measurement. It is argued that the concept of aptitude needs to be updated, and that clear linkages to second language acquisition processes need to be…

Argues that the Vygotskyan hypothesis of regulation offers a psycholinguistic framework that could lend assistance in understanding more fully some of the principles underlying task-based approaches to second-language teaching. (51 references) (GLR)

Focuses on learner development, a learner-centered innovation in foreign language-second language instruction that responds to learner diversity by aiming to improve the language learner's ability to learn a language. Describes various ideas that shaped early practice in learner development, and provides an evaluation of the theory and practice in…

Task-based instruction (TBI) is frequently promoted as an effective teaching approach, superior to "traditional" methods, and soundly based in theory and research. The approach is often justified by the claim that linguistic regularities are acquired through "noticing" during communicative activity, and should therefore be addressed primarily by…

Surveys the problems of coordinating theory with practice in applied linguistics and language teaching within the context of the disconnections of theory from practice in theoretical linguistics. Explores the basic frameworks of language science in terms of the applicability and proposes an alternative program. (49 references) (Author/CK)