Explains the history and background of concrete poetry and discusses how to teach the creation of a concrete poem to foreign language classes. (EKN)

Describes use of Circles of Knowledge designed to generate excitement about foreign language learning as technique for individualized instruction. Includes guidelines for using, organizing, and implementing this method. (BK)

Explains how to create a file of useful student-centered language learning modules with four-by-six cards. Modules can focus on vocabulary development, completion drills, or sequential arrangement of information, can be adapted to any age level, and can be inexpensively augmented, or discarded after use. (Author/DJD)

Suggests activities to practice asking directions that encourage immediate student use of the target language in a range of meaningful contexts. Exercises are accompanied by guidelines for classroom utilization. (EKN)

Describes a flexible strategy for associating Spanish with the daily English language newspaper interests of junior and senior high school students. The strategy is adaptable to other languages, is especially suitable for classes with students of different levels, and is one which allows all students to be adequately challenged. (EKN)

Discusses classroom techniques that strengthen reader strategies for discourse comprehension. (EKN)

Defines and discusses the uses of poetic games in a second language classroom. Provides an extensive inventory of poetic games, with examples in French and English. (EKN)

Discusses the use of gesture and nonverbal communication techniques as a way to (1) involve students in more direct use of the target language, (2) increase teacher control over class atmosphere, (3) provide smoother transition and pace, and (4) provide a closer student-teacher rapport. (EKN)

The transformation from grammar to literature can be difficult for college foreign language students because of the introduction of figurative language inherent in the study of literature. Article presents classroom techniques for introducing figurative language and literary analysis in classroom. (BK)

Describes ways to create visuals with nonphotographic slides that can enhance both language teaching and learning. The slides can be used to teach lexical items, grammatical concepts, and reading and writing skills; to introduce and use dialogues; and to play language games. Suggests that creating slides be taught in teacher training classes. (SED)

Describes a method of writing instruction that not only helps students write successfully in the target language and leaves them willing to write again but also helps develop reading, listening, and speaking skills in the prewriting stages. (EKN)

Describes and gives example of a Picture Pack, an inexpensive, instructor-made, teaching book which will stimulate interest in writing and increase writing skills in foreign language classroom. It consists of a picture and writing activities about it. It is useful for language teachers responsible for different levels of instruction and those…

Describes a language teaching technique which uses analogies like those found on the Miller Analogies Test. To solve an analogy, a student must understand each word, but more importantly the relationships between the words. Different analogies are listed with suggestions for class presentation. (Author/BK)

For spot-dictation purposes, song lyrics can be duplicated with blanks for the words or structures that are desirable to emphasize. Lyrics quite often have repetitious structures and vocabulary, and lend themselves to reinforcing new forms or concepts. This procedure can encourage general listening comprehension while highlighting one particular…

In spite of new methodologies in foreign language instruction, much testing is still of the traditional type. Paper and pencil tests are given, testing in exactly the same way the teachers themselves were tested. This article suggests 25 points for language teachers on all levels. (Author/PJM)