The author discusses the reasons for using the language laboratory in foreign language instruction now that the functional approach has replaced the audiolingual method and gives examples of possible lab exercises. (CFM)

Discusses the development of a notional functional syllabus for university second language classes. (EKN)

Discusses five directions for integrating the notion of communicative competence in foreign-language instruction: functional orientation, focus on semantic notions, cyclical progression, inclusion of rhetorical device and discursive authenticity, and systematic treatment of language variation. (EKN)

Presents use of dialogs as way of implementing functional/notional approach in second language instruction. Steps in methodology include presentation and discussion, oral practice, questions and answers, examination of structure, transfer to oral or written activity, and summary of lesson's purpose. (BK)

Discusses one approach to teaching French grammar in a university second year communicative-oriented course. (EKN)

Discusses a compromise between functionally based material and traditional grammatical approaches by suggesting the adoption of a more communicative approach to structurally based material. Using the present continuous tense as an example, the unnaturalness of traditional classroom dialog is shown; sample remedies are given. (PJM)

The following articles of interest to teachers of English as a second language (ESL) are included: (1) "Guided Writing in a High School" by Jean Brent; (2) "The Silent Way--Report on a Workshop" by Andrew Weiler; (3) "Multicultural Education: Report on an In-Service Day" by Helen Crain-Welsby; (4) "An ESL…

Discusses how to fulfill the goals of communicative language teaching in a first-year German course while at the same time teaching grammar. Illustrates one aspect of "functional grammar" as it can be taught in the first six weeks of a first-year course in German at the university level. (SED)

A discussion of techniques for teachers to best use functional materials focuses on providing practice in recognizing and manipulating stress and intonation variations to produce attitudinally appropriate utterances. Lesson planning ideas for beginner and intermediate levels are included. (MSE)

The Polish notions catalog systematizes a variety of informational codes used in Polish, resulting in lists of notions, each presented from a structural perspective. Where applicable, they are accompanied by a morphological component, structural chart, semantic description, frequentative expressions, and related vocabulary items. The notions…

The problem of teaching the use of the verbs "ser" and "estar" in Spanish can be only partially addressed by current linguistic explanations. In the absence of rules that will enable the student to predict correct sentences using the verbs, the most effective teaching technique is to use a situational-functional approach providing students with…

The authors stress the importance of using a "science-oriented" syllabus when teaching a second language for specific purposes and identify the linguistic concepts which must be incorporated into such a syllabus. They discuss their experience in teaching Italian for specific Purposes at the National University in Somalia. (CFM)

Discusses a questionnaire administered to beginning Spanish students at Iowa State University, designed to identify and set priorities for student-perceived communication needs. Compares the results with a similar survey of beginning French students at Purdue. (EKN)

Describes an exercise that familiarizes students with the language of German weather reports, so that they will know what kinds of information to listen for. The exercise also helps students expand their vocabulary. The article includes transcriptions of actual German weather reports. (SED)

The instructional designer in language instruction can choose a central function (e.g., describing) and build a teaching unit around it. The process involves choosing a situation that best displays the core function, determining possible secondary functions, discussing the personalities involved, and determining the formality or familiarity of the…