Describes possible modes of a diskette vocabulary review system as replacement for flash cards for students learning Russian. Disadvantages are that not everyone has microcomputers and that not all software is compatible with all microcomputers. (BK)

When used to teach in a strictly instructional mode, as the language laboratory was, computers have limited application. However, when used for student manipulation during the learning process, the computer can enrich and diversify existing resources, increasing student exposure to materials. Moreover, this can be done with inexpensive, smaller…

Reports on the progress of the Duke Language Toolkit, a collection of programs formulated to provide foreign alphabet capabilities on the IBM PC. The Toolkit itself, the interface of the Toolkit to other commonly used software, and the direction of the Toolkit project over the next nine months are discussed. (SED)

Three vehicles for programming for computer-assisted language instruction are compared: general-purpose programming languages, educational programming languages, and educational authoring systems. Their advantages and disadvantages for a variety of purposes and circumstances are examined as well as the differences in time and energy required for…

Teachers and supervisors of foreign language programs from 29 high schools in six states provide reviews of foreign language microcomputer courseware. Evaluations of the 25 programs for French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish are based on: (1) quality of content; (2) relevance to subject area; (3) suitability to computer medium; (4)…

Discusses the micro-concord, an interactive, keyword-in-context concordancing program that can be run on the Spectrum home microcomputer. The program offers language learners, teachers, and linguistic researchers an excellent tool for investigating learners' writing as well as for replacing more traditional language learning materials. (Author/SED)

Using motion picture quality video and sound, videodisc-based materials can provide highly motivating course segments for second language learning and fit in well with modern theories of language acquisition. Under microcomputer control, such materials can be highly interactive and individualized, and good prospects exist for future reductions in…

Five computer programs for the Macintosh that are geared for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) are described. All five programs allow the teacher to input material. The first program allows entry of new vocabulary lists including definition, a sentence in which the exact word is used, a fill-in-the-blank exercise, and the word's phonetics…

The characteristics of videodisc technology are outlined, and a project undertaken to create an interactive videodisc for French language instruction is described, including the efforts to eliminate physical barriers between the computer and the user, pedagogical strategy and material, programing technicalities, and other details of production.…

Three basic kinds of tools exist for computer assisted instruction (CAI): templates, which are often highly user-friendly and require little investment of time but whose potential is limited; authoring systems, which offer a number of options for lesson design and greater variety in approach, but which require more sophisticated input from the…

Describes a modified alphabet for beginning readers based on psychologies of reading and visual perception. The Graphophonic Alphabet (GP) is explained, motivations for modifying the alphabet are discussed, and possibilities for teaching phonics and second languages as well as reading with the GP and microcomputers are considered. (16 references)…

This fact sheet covers the possible uses of microcomputers in second language classrooms, addressing skills needed by instructors, types and uses of the available software, steps for program implementation and future applications. Published resources which can aid second language teachers in locating and evaluating applicable courseware,…

With only a very basic knowledge of microcomputers, the language teacher can readily build on student interest in this learning mode. The teacher remains in control of what is to be learned and is still involved in deciding how the student will approach the material. Programming is not something the teacher has to know, but it is helpful to have a…

Explains how language teachers can write their own microcomputer-based language programs in BASIC, using an example in German. Commercial software packages are discussed, and step-by-step directions are given for creating student exercises and for determining student scores and grades. (LRW)

A series of classroom microcomputer-assisted games based on an approach to understanding through mythological symbolism is described and discussed. (MSE)