Discusses incorporating current events articles from "Pravda" into Russian language classes in the U.S. as a successful means of attracting students to Russian language programs. In addition, the timely and controversial nature of many of these articles promote stimulating conversational exchanges in the classroom. (SL)

Suggests the use of foreign films as a teaching aid for foreign language study. However, a thorough knowledge of the film's oral language (or languages) and culture is essential as a first step toward a clear understanding of the film's visual aesthetic. A dependence on subtitles or dubbing is discouraged, due to frequent errors and…

Introduces a critical methodology for students approaching literary French texts of the Classical period, such as Moliere. Suggests that greater understanding of the material leads to greater enjoyment. It is concluded that this type of instruction need not be limited to students of French, but rather, students of all languages could profit from…

The use of radio material for foreign language study is not new, but it has largely been limited to students at the advanced level. The concept of listening to authentic material at a very early stage of language learning is promoted, and using radio commercials effectively as supplementary materials in language classes is discussed. (SL)

Discusses the differences between language-centered teaching and learning-centered teaching methods with reference to recent trends in language program and syllabus design and innovative proposals. Also considers the reasons for the adoption and influence of methods. (SL)

Discusses how visual perception may be adapted for language teaching purposes. Since the study of language is not restricted to the verbal domain, a language teaching strategy involving visual aids enables the learner to communicate both actively and passively in a foreign language, thus contributing to an understanding of language and…

Suggests that those involved in foreign language education need a greater understanding of technology in order not to fall behind the fast moving pace of the microelectronic revolution. Cites inadequate teacher-training programs and a general passivity towards the "electronic learning age" as two of the major obstacles which need to be overcome.…

Addresses one problem brought about by the confusion around the concept of communicative competence and the communicative approach to second language teaching. Considers the belief that communication, as opposed to language, should be the conceptual center of second language instruction, and then suggests a framework for representing the…

Describes an English as a second language classroom activity adaptable to students of any age and at any level of language proficiency. The music story stimulates individual input and real communication, as the students must create stories from their imagination, inspired by listening to a certain musical selection. (SL)

Describes a short exercise used in the English as a second language classroom which provides variety and/or a change of pace. Four-line rhyming poems with accompanying illustrations can be incorporated into activities which help students expand their vocabulary, learn new language functions and structures, and acquire intonation and stress…

Examines the use of color as a visual teaching aid in the foreign language classroom, assisting English-speaking children learning Spanish. In the area of phonology, color can be used to highlight difficulties in pronunciation, showing similarities and differences with some English cognate. (SL)

In order to avoid the early problems of computer assisted instruction and the language lab, and to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency of student learning, foreign language teachers need to become proficient in the following three areas: (1) computer literacy; (2) software literacy; and (3) application literacy. (SL)

Emphasizes that although computer technology opens the door to great possibilities for teaching language, it will only be as powerful as the programs developed to go with the machines. Since the language lab remains one of the principal tools in foreign language education, it is hoped that computer assisted instruction will reflect back onto tape…

When developing large computer-assisted instructional (CAI) courseware packages, it is suggested that there be more attentive planning to the overall package design before actual lesson development is begun. This process has been simplified by modifying the systems approach used to develop single CAI lessons, followed by planning for the…

Discusses positive and negative aspects of teaching language use--the Communicative Approach. While the Communicative Approach is learner-centered and develops the students' communicative competence, the design and current tactics of this methodology are criticized as being "decontextualized" and "abstracted." (SL)