Discusses the possible advantages and disadvantages of native versus nonnative speakers as language teachers in North American Classrooms. The discussion is based on personal observations that were tested against findings of a survey among both native- and nonnative-speaking teaching assistants and German students with native or nonnative speakers…

Argues that before autonomous approaches to language learning are implemented, it is necessary to gauge learners' readiness for the behavioral change that autonomy implies. Data collected from a questionnaire on learner beliefs about language learning is presented. Factor analysis of subjects' responses indicated six underlying dimensions. (41…

Two types of verbal-report data (concurrent and retrospective) and four major introspective methods used in second-language research (L2) (thinking-aloud, questionnaires, interviews, diary-keeping) are described in a discussion of introspective L2 research studies. It is argued that, though incomplete, verbal reports from informant-learners offer…

The "Go for Gold" task-based English for Special Purposes course for second-year business students at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology is described. It is argued that a syllabus may have a process focus without being totally learner led. A sample list of student expectations and evaluation forms are appended. (31 references)…

Investigates the linkage between German studies and engineering and how it affects the learning environment and quality for students. Linking two different modes of scholarly investigation and teaching--engineering and humanities--has attracted and retained a significant number of women. In addition to the positive effects on students, this…

In this study, performance on Author and Magazine Recognition Tests were found to predict second-language vocabulary among high school English-as-a-Foreign-Language students in Korea. Reported free reading in English was also related to vocabulary development, but the effect of the author and magazine recognition tests was independent of free…

Comments on the de facto agenda for study abroad research; reviews literature on reading and study abroad; argues for a "social practices" view of foreign language literacy; and presents findings from an illustrative project in which a qualitative approach framed exploration of study abroad literacy as social practice. (Author/VWL)

Describes work carried out as part of a remote language teaching research investigation, which is looking into the use of multicast, multimedia conferencing over SuperJANET. The fundamental idea is to investigate the feasibility of sharing language teaching resources among universities within the United Kingdom by using the broadband SuperJANET…

Reports on a study of end-of-semester course evaluations conducted at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. A questionnaire, consisting of open-ended and closed portions, explored students baseline profiles of good teaching assistants and good second-year German courses; the intent of the students completing the evaluations; external factors;…

Reports an investigation carried out into students' and teachers' perceptions of appropriate models of English pronunciation and grammar. The study is based on two parallel questionnaire surveys that looked at students' and teachers' attitudes to questions of conforming native-speaker norms. (Author/VWL)

Studied second language acquisition (SLA) designed with Web-based elicitation tasks to obtain greater internal and external validity. Tested the acquisition of the properties subsumed under the verb movement parameter and the null subject parameter by English native speakers enrolled in college French. (Author/VWL)

Administered a Teaching Activity Preference (TAP) questionnaire to ascertain how well teaching preferences fit personality type as determined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Describes teaching preferences of a sample of preservice foreign language teachers. Findings and pedagogical implications for teachers are discussed. (Author/VWL)

While the notion that cross-cultural awareness is is considered important in foreign language education, there are few studies that provide information on how language teaching and learning can foster positive cross-cultural attitudes. Discusses a questionnaire that asked learners about their attitudes toward learning languages, migrants, other…

With 104 advanced second language (L2) readers, this investigation seeks to construct a multicomponent model of interest and L2 reading. Sources of interest (SI) refer to variables that induce feelings of interest in a text. Perceived interest (PI) refers to the feeling of interest itself (Schraw, Bruning, & Svoboda, 1995). A factor analysis…

Acquisition of multiple identities to negotiate new forms of social participation and the concomitant attendant multiple languages and multiple cultures is "sine qua non" to success in English language learning classrooms. This study therefore, investigates how middle school Hispanic students reconceptualize their identities to negotiate…