Cautions against direct application of neurolinguistic research to second language learning and teaching and discusses why brain research will not provide a quick answer to teaching problems. (EKN)

Reports on research carried out in the Netherlands using visual feedback showing that training in perception of intonation resulted in statistically significant improvement in production of English intonation patterns. (Author/BK)

Conceptualizes a framework for conducting critical classroom-discourse analysis. Critiques the scope and method of current models of classroom-interaction analysis and classroom-discourse analysis and advocates using poststructuralist and postcolonialist understandings of discourse to develop a critical framework for understanding what actually…

An exploratory study of six undergraduates under laboratory conditions aimed to clarify the role of explicit teaching of different kinds of second-language grammar rules. In this look at methodology, one hypothesis was supported: that explicit and deductive learning is better than implicit for simple categorical rules. (Contains 24 references.)…

Discusses an updated perspective of good language learners that takes into account sociocultural and poststructural views of second language acquisition. Suggests the study of successful language learning should include the ways in which learners' participation is received and acted upon within the communities in which they use their second…

Explores the development of language teaching in light of Thomas Kuhn's theory of scientific revolution and briefly defines the positivist tradition in language teaching. Argues that the current emphasis on communication does not mark the emergence of a new paradigm, as it still operates in the positivist tradition, but rather a paradigm shift.…

Reviews the results of research in language acquisition, interactional analysis, pragmatics, repair, error, and social and affective factors. Extracts four language teaching principles relating to acquisition activities in the classroom, the importance of affective factors, the communicative capacity of learners, and the nature and treatment of…

Research on second language reading and writing development in children suggests (1) children who speak little English are reading some of the print in their environment, (2) they can read English before they have complete oral control of it, (3) their comprehension is influenced by their knowledge and culture, and (4) their second language…

This article discusses how qualitative research can inform language teacher education, focusing on the perspectives of teacher practice, knowledge, and understanding that affect teacher education research. It argues that researchers need to examine how teachers, students, parents, and others involved in the classroom construe their worlds and…

Listings of over 200 graduate theses and dissertations in English as a second language (ESL) completed since 1975 were studied to determine apparent topic areas and methodologies. (Author/RM)

Addresses some of the recent debates regarding second-language acquisition (SLA). Draws on studies of school restructuring and argues that SLA needs to be understood as an institutional phenomenon, because the ways in which schools are structured present or constrain possibilities for language use and development. (Author/VWL)

Based on the assumption that the characteristics of communicative language teaching (CLT) have not been clearly defined because CLT needs a new metaphor to describe it, some characteristics of what that metaphor might be are discussed. Reviews some ways in which CLT guides classroom practice and offers directions for future research. (SED)

Suggests that to understand the interrelationship between technology and language learning, researchers must investigate the broader ecological context that affects language learning and use in today's society, both inside and outside the classroom. This involves expanding research paradigms to engage in critical qualitative research attempts to…

Several points regarding the distinction between second-language theory and practice in professional and public discourse are discussed, including theorists are rarely full-time teachers; theory tends to be imported from other disciplines; discourse tends to be authoritarian and prescriptive; and it underestimates institutional, political, and…

Examines the origin and current meaning of the labels, ESL (English as a Second Language) and EFL (English as a foreign language). Places these acronyms in historical context, evaluates their current credibility, distinguishes three contexts commonly referred to as ESL environments and proposes a new nomenclature that better captures the role of…