The general-specific concept, here defined as a matter of thinking in wholes and in parts as they relate to wholes, is examined as the key to the native English speaker's use of the" and a" as well as some" and any." Implication for teaching these forms to learners of English as a Second language are discussed. (FB)

Examines the concept of consciousness in second-language research. After defining theoretical assumptions and reviewing a number of controversies in the psycholinguistic and second-language literature, it is argued that the terms conscious and unconscious have acquired too much surplus meaning and should be abandoned in favor of clearly defined…

This article discusses the now established" fact that one aspect of language development in native English speakers is the increasing ability to embed larger and larger numbers of sentence consituents and considers its implications for second language acquisition. (FB)

Findings of the test reported here were: (1) group-administered tests are practicable and may be scored reliably; (2) performance correlated highly with performance on standardized listening and grammar tests of English as a foreign language; (3) the difficulty of the test sentences seemed to be determined by their length and syntactical…

Examines the language processing and acquisition abilities of the right hemisphere. Discusses functions performed by the right hemisphere that could play an important role in second language acquisition. (EKN)

Evaluates the distinction between competence theories and processing theories of second-language acquisition by examining Chomsky's definitions for competence and performance, and by setting out criteria for competence theories. (70 references) (JL)

Discusses experimental evidence which suggests that there may be greater right hemisphere involvement in language processing in bilinguals who acquire their second language late relative to their first language and in bilinguals who learn their second language in informal contexts. (EKN)

Discusses both the pedagogical arguments and the psycholinguistic rationale for small-group work in the second language classroom. Claims that the negotiation work possible in group actiity makes it an attractive alternative to the teacher-led discussion. Reviews research findings on interlanguage which generally support the claims made for group…

Discusses the important role of background knowledge in a psycholinguistic model of EFL/ESL reading and demonstrates the relevance of schema-theoretic views of reading to the teaching of reading to EFL/ESL students. Also discusses classroom implications of the schema-theoretic view and suggests techniques for bringing about reader-centered EFL/ESL…

The author suggests that the starting point of improved language teaching can be found in the language classroom itself and not in the theoretical considerations of the linguist or the theories of learning advocated by the psychologist. At the same time, however, both linguistics and psychology can be extremely useful to the language teacher, not…

Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that informal and formal environments contribute to different aspects of second language competence, the former affecting acquired competence and the latter affecting learned competence. Data is presented that suggests that the classroom can be used simultaneously as a formal and informal linguistic…

Presents Hilder's view of Bell's article on the relationship between first and second language literacy and follows up with Bell's response. Hilder examines the implications of Bell's article for classes in English for academic purposes and draws on other literature for pedagogical direction. The author elaborates on Hilder's comments on the…

A remedial approach involving review, contrast, and re-review for remedying second language learners' errors is suggested. (RM)

The initial stage of second language learning usually aims to develop the ability to converse. This conversational ability is, however, rarely the ultimate object of second language instruction. The student may want access to the literature of the culture of the second language, or to get an education in it. For these reasons, interest shifts…