The topic of this article is the link between research on the neurocognition of the teaching--acquisition interface and research on second language teaching. This recent scientific enterprise investigates whether and how different aspects of second language instruction may change both the anatomy and the functioning of an adult learner's brain…

Reports on research seeking to isolate and analyze high frequency errors in secondary students of German, to identify learning tactics, and to apply the research results to improving language instruction. (AM)

The concept of washback, or backwash, defined as the influence of testing on instruction, is discussed with relation to second language teaching and testing. While the literature of second language testing suggests that tests are commonly considered to be powerful determiners of what happens in the classroom, the concept of washback is not well…

High school students studying French as a second language in Toronto were administered a questionnaire and a variety of achievement tests in French. Results were analyzed to determine the effects of learner characteristics on the development of second language competence. Four factors in learning success were posited: attitude, strategy, aptitude,…

This study is intended to help experienced practitioners and student teachers gain a systematic understanding of language learning. Part I is a general introduction discussing the second language learner and first language learner. Part II describes the adult interview study; the method, procedure, and results of interviews with good and poor…