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)

The relationship between syllabus content and language teaching methodology is critically examined, and it is argued that many proposals that purport to relate to syllabus design are relevant to methodology only and are actually unrealizable in terms of syllabus and content. (Author/CB)

Excerpts from a discussion session involving six panelists and 150 teachers of English in non-English-speaking countries range from the revolution in the communicative approach to the extent to which the mother tongue is taken into account, translation, grammatical correctness, teaching large classes, and textbook development. (MSE)

An experiment in teaching French in Sweden was based on a version of a Council of Europe proposal for a core language curriculum consisting of basic needs for language functions, notions, topics, vocabulary, and grammar. The model targets a variety of learning and age levels, but the Swedish program concerned secondary level teaching of French as…

Two guides are presented to assist in organization of a thematic approach to instruction in French and Spanish that is helpful in integrating language and culture. Each booklet contains the following elements: (1) a general introduction to the factors that must be present in the teaching situation for real communication to take place, and to…

Looks at the pedagogical aspects of the communicative approach, especially as it relates to syllabus design and authentic materials. Suggests that language teaching should integrate semantic and formal syllabi and combine authentic with specially written teaching materials. Argues that the communicative approach ignores the importance of the…

A language learning model based on cognitive developmental stages is proposed, and types of ESL learning activities corresponding to the model's levels are identified. Guidelines are proposed for developing an ESL curriculum congruent with the regular elementary school curriculum, and a process for setting up a program scope and sequence is…

Needs assessment, identification of objectives, training and evaluation procedures of a Competency Based Education (CBE) system and minimum competencies are discussed. These are applied to second language instruction utilizing the Council of Europe's "Threshold Level" core from which statements may be developed and applied in a CBE learning…

This training manual and program guide for staff focuses on planning and designing a notional-functional curriculum for English as a Second Language program. Chapter 1 explains a notional-functional curriculum that is designed around instructional objectives developed upon interrelationships between language functions and notions. The focus of…

Examines theoretical and practical deficiencies in how curricular objectives are selected for functional, competency based approaches to English as a second language instruction. Issues are illustrated through an analysis of the functional curricula of the United States Refugee Processing Centers. (Author/CB)

The development of a second-year college French language course based on principles of communicative competence and the notional-functional approach is described. Although spoken language is the primary focus of the course, it is also designed to cover a broader range of writing skills than the traditional college language course. (MSE)

Explores the development and application of syllabus and textbook design principles in the creation and use of an English-as-a-Second Language textbook that completely replaced the use of a structurally based course in Sri Lankan schools. Course components, the structural and functional syllabus, testing problems, and materials team training are…

It is argued that a functional-notional syllabus is practical and useful for second language instruction at the college level. It constitutes a natural progression from secondary school curricula that emphasize communication in that it uses the same basic organization and similar categories. However, it differs from them in that it pays particular…

This study of the notional-functional approach to second language teaching reviews the history and theoretical background of the method, current issues, and implementation of a notional-functional syllabus. Chapter 1 discusses the history and theory of the approach and the organization and advantages of the notional-functional syllabus. Chapter 2…

Information for second language teachers in Great Britain, also applicable to the situation in the United States, is presented. The material is organized as a response to the availability of second language instruction to students across all ability levels. In addition, issues related to new developments in theory-into-practice (such as the…