This discussion addresses the need for teaching vocabulary in the framework of second language instruction, aiming at communicative competence and using authentic documents as instructional material. The analysis is based on "Le Niveau-Seuil" (Threshold Level), and discusses the following elements of a functional methodology: (1) the fact that…

Proposes a taxonomy for the many roles a second language learner must play in real-life interactions. Three types of roles are established and illustrated via dialogs: social, emotive, and maturational. Students practice these roles, and in doing so, acquire the grammatical structures of the target language. (Author/PJM)

This paper reviews the application of notional syllabuses and structural curricula to intensive ESL programs. It is suggested that a communicative or functional or functional-notional syllabus must not be viewed in contrast to a structural or grammatical syllabus. Functional notions are necessary inclusions into the class and into texts, but…