Second language (L2) learners of tone languages do not perceive and produce the different tones of the target language with equal ease. The most common explanation for these asymmetries is that acoustically salient tones are the easiest to learn. An alternative explanation is that tones are easiest to learn when they are highly frequent in the…

The major emphasis of this bibliography is on Canadian research in teaching French as a second language published since 1967. Important references before that date, as well as selected British and American references, have also been included. Seven subtopics have been established: aims and objectives of second language instruction, bibliographies,…

Three research studies conducted at Thai universities involving language testing and courses in General English and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) are discussed. The first study examined the predictive validity of different types of language tests on academic achievement in General English and EAP courses. It found that the test format, as…

Discusses research regarding College of Liberal Arts students at the University of Minnesota where there are proficiency requirement-based second-language programs. Research results provide data that compare qualitative results on reading, listening, writing, and speaking proficiency tests of students from the proficiency requirement program at…

The marked growth in foreign language instruction during the 1957-1960 period is noted and is attributed to the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) of 1958, to the establishment of language laboratory facilities, to the wider use of audiovisual aids and teaching machines, and to the application of linguistic science to language teaching.…

This cooperative research project, supported by the Office of Education Bureau of Research, attempts to answer questions on the effectiveness of reading instruction during a sixth grade beginning Spanish program. Major areas studied include: (1) the effects of reading instruction on listening, speaking, and reading skills, (2) the amounts of…

A 3-year study of the effect of 3 years of audiolingually oriented FLES instruction on student achievement in French and Spanish classes in grades 7-12 is described. Samples of the language proficiency tests used as research instruments for grades 7 and 9 are reproduced in the extensive appendixes, along with the objectives of the FLES program.…

REPORTS OF EIGHT WORKING COMMITTEES CONSTITUTE THIS 1956 PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ON THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES. OBSERVATIONS ON PRESENT PRACTICES AND THE LONG RANGE POSSIBILITIES OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL LANGUAGE LABORATORY ARE IN THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE COMMITTEE ON TEACHING AIDS AND TECHNIQUES, HEADED BY FREDERICK D.…

Trends in foreign language teaching are indicated through an examination of studies and projects conducted during the period 1953-58. Areas covered are the FLES programs, the problems of articulation, the language curriculum in secondary schools and colleges, teacher education, research interpretation, and testing as a key to evaluation. The…

Two studies at the Defense Language Institute (California) investigated the contribution of several variables to prediction of post-language-training proficiency: (1) scores on a general vocational aptitude battery and a language aptitude battery, both used to screen potential students; (2) scores on other cognitive measures not used in the…

Drawing on recent psychological and neurological research on how individual differences might interact with learning a particular language, the study examines how psycholinguistic research and theory can help in assigning military personnel to language training and to a given language. Using the Defense Language Institute's Defense Language…