Discusses the strong contrastive analysis hypothesis, which claims predictive powers for contrastive analysis, and the weak hypothesis, which claims only that contrastive analysis can help account for observed difficulties in second language learning. The strong hypothesis is found untenable, and difficulties with the weak hypothesis are discussed…

The claim that the best language teaching materials are based on a contrast of the two competing linguistic systems has long been a popular one in language teaching. It exists in strong and weak versions, the strong one arising from evidence from the availability of some kind of metatheory of contrastive analysis and the weak from evidence from…

Three principles are integral to any reading theory which provides reading teachers and researchers with the linguistic explanatory power required by linguistic theory. A clear understanding of language is dependent on the knowledge of what language is and how it works. There is an important distinction between competence and performance; most…

This paper attempts to "bridge the gap between the practical orientation of teachers and the theoretical concerns that should underlie practice," Discussed in turn are language, psychology, and pedagogical philosophy. An adequate knowledge of these areas is essential to good classroom practices; every bad practice is evidence of some weakness in…

An attempt to relate the theory of teaching English as a second language to current practices in teaching English as a second language. Paper presented to the Pre-Convention Study Groups at the TESOL Convention, Chicago, March 1969. (Author/FWB)

In each of three historical periods, an effort was made, conscious or otherwise, to unite the prevailing knowledge of language into a pattern of language teaching. In the "pre-linguistic" period, emphasis was on encyclopedic formal knowledge, grammar-translation, reading , and writing. During the "linguistic" period, the study of language became…

This article presents a non-technical discussion of the way in which modern transformational generative linguistics can help in understanding the reading process. (FB)

The information processing model, as distinct from the information theoretic model, is useful in discussing language and reading. Linguists can aid in the teaching of reading by furnishing information on linguistic competence. Appears in "The Florida FL Reporter special anthology issue "Linguistic-Cultural Differences and American Education. …

Research funded by a contract from the U.S. Office of Education to Rutgers University. (DS)

Behavioristic, nativistic, and cognitive theories of language acquisition are discussed. Linguistically-oriented theories are compared with learning-oriented theories, and four controversial issues of frequency of stimuli, imitation expansion, and meaning are reviewed. The theories, according to the author, are rather unsubstantial at present. The…

The Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) organization is at a stage in its development when it must actively solicit contributions from a variety of disciplines: linguistics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and education. While such an interdisciplinary approach to problems has its dangers, particularly when allied to…

This book is intended for use in conjunction with an introductory text on linguistics and language study, for beginning students of linguistics, or as a source of information for more advanced students who wish to become familiar with many of the issues that have concerned linguists in recent years. The variety of issues covered in this volume are…

This volume is a collection of articles which are concerned with the field of applied linguistics. Part One, "Language and Linguistics," includes two articles: "Language" and "The Relevance of Linguistics." Part Two, "Linguistics and Spelling," consists of one article, "Sounds and Spellings; Spellings and Sounds." Part Three, "Linguistics and…