A discussion of the predominant foreign language methodology, the Practical-Conscious Method, used in the Soviet Union. The principles underlying the method are the cognitive mastery is primary to learning and that automatic habits are developed on that base. Both learner's intellect and teacher are essential in the process. (AMH)

An investigation of the differences between first and second language acquisition and the relationship between age and second language learning. The stages in native language acquisition and the advantages of an early start in second language learning are discussed. (AMH)

The notion that second language instruction is more effective if begun at an early age is seen as arising from cognitive-nativist and neuropsychological postulates, and from the argument of "affective purity." Each of these positions is reviewed, along with frequently-heard objections to each. A fresh perspective on the issue is thus…

Psychological and psycholinguistic considerations which make university foreign language entrance requirements in the interest of the university and the student are discussed. (RM)

A discussion of the effect of an immersion program on the majority language child. Research is reviewed on the "threshold hypothesis" and "the developmental interdependence hypothesis." Recent studies of the cognitive and academic effects of bilingualism are critically examined in the light of these hypotheses. A bibliography…

Suggestopedia is a learning technique which claims to provide students with a better and richer learning experience than is generally found in most educational systems. It also claims to accelerate the learning process by giving access to so-called unused "reserves of the mind." (SW)

Ten papers are presented dealing with the rationale, theory, methodology, development, and teacher-training in the suggestopedic systems of second language instruction. The papers are as follows: (1) "The Bulgarian Experience," by Georgi Lozanov; (2) "Swedish Commentary on Suggestopedia," by Christer Landahl; (3)…

This brochure is presented in the context of the "back to basics" movement to draw attention to the fact that the basics of a good education are skills that will enable people to live more effectively in the world of the future and that study of a foreign language contributes to the development of these skills. Basics are defined as…

This book consists of 18 selected papers that focus on the broad topic of the educational process. All the papers were originally presented at the Fourteenth Annual Conference of the Australian College of Education, which was held in May 1973. Titles of the papers include "The Educational Process: The Raw Material,""Towards a…

Overall and specific tasks involved in learning a foreign language and the factors that promote or retard learning are considered. To apply theories of learning and teaching, behavioral objectives for the learner must be considered. A macro-level learning theory is useful in conceptualizing reasons for student success and failure and in…

This volume presents two papers synthesizing current research in second-language acquisition and reactions to these papers from the point of view of researchers in foreign language learning. The introduction by Rosario Gingras provides an overview of the research in second-language acquisition as it applies to foreign language teaching. A…

The many dimensions of individual differences that make each learner a challenge to the foreign language teacher are discussed. The teacher must interpret the information and provide differentiated environments to "match" these differences. Emphasis is placed upon learning styles and learning strategies. An historical perspective of adapting…

This study describes certain communication strategies used by Anglophone children learning French as a second language as well as by children whose mother tongue is French. Three groups of children in the third and fifth grades participated in the study: French native speakers, Anglophone children learning French in an immersion setting, and…

This volume consists of the following papers selected from those presented at the 1977 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: (1) "Educational Cognitive Style: A Basis for Personalizing Foreign Language Instruction," by Derek N. Nunney; (2) "Discovering Student Learning Styles through Cognitive Style Mapping," by Helen S.…

This is the final report of the project entitled "A Study to Determine the Degree of Relationship between Linguistic Concepts and Structures in French as a Mother Tongue and Stages of Psychological Readiness of Students at the Junior and Intermediate Levels." The project's primary aim was to determine the psychological readiness, with…