This article aims to outline the major development of psychological and linguistic theory, focusing upon those underlying features which have particular relevance in foreign-language instruction, and to suggest the direction which emerging strategies will take." (FB)

The article criticizes present-day overemphasis of contrastive analysis procedures in second language instruction. Recommendations are for language teachers to reappraise their classroom objectives and to give paramount importance to mastery of language use rather than mastery of language structure. Pedagogical procedures based on situational…