The use of a participatory approach may entail taking risks in certain contexts. It involves discussing socio-political issues that aim to challenge the discourse of those in power representing neoliberal ideology. Critical pedagogy and the participatory approach oppose political and neoliberal power relations in educational settings that…

Whilst previous researchers commonly report on the effect of portfolio-based instruction on second language/English as a foreign language (L2/EFL) learners' language performance, very few studies examine its impact on their learning motivation. Drawing on expectancy-value theory, the current study examines how the implementation of a…

Good listening and pronunciation skills lead to successes in foreign language learning. The main purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of adopting the Proprioceptive Method in learning English by Thai local government officials with the help of Facebook. A seventeen-day training course was implemented, comprising two days of…

This study seeks to determine the possible interactions between listening proficiency and the state of strategic self-awareness; second, and more importantly, to investigate the effects of learned strategies on listening comprehension and recall; and finally to describe the most common real-time listening comprehension problems faced by EFL…

Content-Based Instruction (CBI) may result in improved proficiency in language skills due to the meaningful combination of subject matter and foreign language as a means of communication. This paper shows how university students improved their level of English by means of a content methodology as they attended a course called Topics in Molecular…

Electronic music can be used to give nonmusic majors an appreciation of musical culture. As final projects, students complete compositions and make the same musical decisions that composers make. Emphasis is on understanding of the electronic medium and on aural analysis. (CS)

Outlines the goals and content of the syllabus aimed at developing reading and listening comprehension in a beginners' course in German. Types of written and spoken texts; language register used; language structure patterns desired; lexis and vocabulary; and language function are discussed as they are included in the syllabus. (CHK)

The ability to listen attentively and critically is crucial. Describes two techniques for improving listening skills. (Editor/RK)

Intended for use with secondary school students, a course on effective listening has material for an 18-week course to meet daily for a minimum of 45 minutes. The objectives are to build an awareness of the factors that will affect listening ability and to build the kind of aural experiences that can produce good listening habits. An integral part…

An extra-curricular Russian course in York, England, is outlined. Course materials and texts are described. Intensive oral skills introduction sets the stage for development of other skills; speaking and listening skills at the end of the course are impressive. Reading is done as homework and related to aural-oral development. (CHK)

The Voice of America English broadcasts have become a very convenient and accessible resource for Chinese students to learn English in China. Discusses one third-year listening course for English majors where VOA news items have been used and have proved very effective in developing students' listening skills. (Author/VWL)

Describes the establishment of a course for long-distance learners in Korea. Students studying English conversation who left school to work in other cities finished their course via telephone. (Author/VWL)

Describes a program of French for engineering students that makes extensive use of audiovisual laboratory equipment and cultural materials. (AM)

This paper discusses the use of the re-broadcast of French television news (Le Journal de 20 Heures) as a tool to develop aural proficiency in college students enrolled in a business French course in the United States. Before viewing each 1- to 2-minute news segment, students complete vocabulary exercises and read a relevant newspaper article.…