Analysis and comparison of speech samples of advance English-as-a-Second-Language learners before and after a 6-month residency in Great Britain found that the use of a battery of 12 readily quantifiable performance variables could help to identify fluency improvements in individual learners and had the potential for providing objective assessment…

Describes an introspective study of four advanced learners of German under conditions of initial extensive exposure to the second language community. It is suggested that introspective techniques can profitably be employed with the advanced learner. (49 references) (CB)

Outlines empirical studies of the effects of "book floods" on elementary school students' acquisition of a second language, indicating that exposure to an extensive range of high-interest illustrated story books encourages children to read and learn the target language more quickly, as well as develop positive attitudes toward books. (38…