This study reports the result of a qualitative case study research design. This study aims to explore teachers' beliefs about teaching English for Vocational school, to investigate how those beliefs are reflected in classroom practices, and to explore that affect the shaping of teachers' beliefs in the teaching and learning process. The…

In Swedish compulsory school, students can choose to study a modern language in addition to English, i.e., French, Spanish, or German. Since 1994, instruction time for modern languages has been extended, the learning objectives have been made more attainable, and national assessment materials have been introduced. The government made these changes…

This book explores the idea of "intercultural competence", which, despite its current popularity across various discourses, has remained a vague and oscillating concept. Interculture lacks a universal definition and "competence" is not only a cognitive construct but also includes psychological traits such as attitudes,…

Analysis of survey data describing the demographic characteristics and attitudes of foreign language teachers affiliated with a state professional organization revealed that there are only very limited inservice training opportunities, there is a limited scope of foreign language programs, and a substantial number of teachers may leave the field…

In order to avoid the early problems of computer assisted instruction and the language lab, and to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency of student learning, foreign language teachers need to become proficient in the following three areas: (1) computer literacy; (2) software literacy; and (3) application literacy. (SL)

Teachers of American Sign Language (ASL) can no longer qualify just by being able to sign well or by being deaf. ASL teachers must respect the language and its history, feel comfortable interacting with the deaf community, have completed formal study of language and pedagogy, be familiar with second-language teaching, and engage in personal and…

Discusses the teaching of French language, literature, and culture in light of the experiences and observations of Gustave Lanson, a professor of French at the University of Paris who taught as a visiting professor at Columbia University in 1911. It is argued that French studies as a discipline needs to emphasize the pluralistic, multicultural…

Offers an annotated bibliography featuring citations regarding introductory materials on psycholinguistics, language acquisition, classroom learning, learning styles, communicative language teaching, instructional methods, testing, and curriculum development. (CB)

Discusses the dichotomy between foreign language and literature instruction, arguing that the objectives of the language curriculum are at odds with those of the literature curriculum; many students are not proficient enough to cope with many of the belles lettres texts without additional linguistic support; and students deserve linguistic support…

This paper reports on foreign language instruction in the community colleges of Florida. A brief rationale for increasing the importance given to language instruction is followed by a review of the literature concerning the latest classroom and laboratory foreign language techniques such as computers, video taping and analysis, audio tape…

Considers several challenges evolving in the field of foreign language instruction, including unity of foreign language teachers, teaching objectives, the importance of listening comprehension, compulsory foreign language education, language tests, speech skills, and curriculum. (CB)

A chair of a university's department of Romance languages and literature addresses the status of two high priorities in the teaching of foreign languages: the integration of linguistics in the "new" curriculum; the continuing development of language teaching approaches in the classroom; and the commitment of foreign language programs in the…

A preliminary analysis of the language syllabuses and language students at Southampton University (England) is used to determine needed improvements in language teaching methodology and to establish clear aims and objectives that will build on students' previous experiences, plug gaps that remain, and relate this language learning to the…

Questionnaire responses of college and university foreign language department chairpersons (N=766) revealed that 15 percent of these programs continued to offer language instruction on an individualized track, while 25 percent expressed interest in developing new individualized instruction programs. Responses regarding language offerings,…

Presents results of a questionnaire, completed by elementary and secondary principals and teachers, concerning foreign language instruction, including information on background demographics, amount of instruction, offerings, curriculum, teacher qualifications and training, and major instructional problems in both public and private schools.…