The dicto-comp, an exercise consisting of a passage to be read several times by the student and then reproduced, usually taps a student's ability to write dictation and composition. Here the emphasis is on composition rather than auditory memory expansion, with the idea that each dicto-comp has a specific teaching point to convey. (PJM)

A variety of exercises based on manipulation of a single text are described. The activities involve replacing words or phrases in the text with synonyms or opposites, transposing gender, changing tenses, filling in blanks, and answering multiple-choice questions about linguistic forms. Three brief sample texts are offered. (MSE)

This student workbook is a component of "Beginning Pashto," a set of materials (including a textbook, teacher's manual, tapescripts, and a glossary) that teaches the Pashto language. The workbook provides background information on Pashtun culture, discusses grammar, and includes information on individual vocabulary items. The workbook unit…

The writing manual for a course in basic Pashto teaches the Pashto alphabet: the letters, their sounds, their names, and their shapes in various combinations with other letters. Each lesson, designed to take one class hour, consists of a presentation of the material to be learned, exercises using that material, exercises reviewing previously…

To alleviate problems associated with free composition as a method of foreign language writing instruction, the directed writing method was adapted for use in a college French composition course. High-quality French texts, often of only a page or two and written by native speakers, are used as a basis for grammatical analysis and discussion and a…

One approach to teaching business letter writing skills in German to second-year students with limited German language skills is described. The letter-writing material was integrated into a business German course sequence. Students were introduced to the general purpose of business correspondence and to several different letter types. The first…

Describes a program in which intermediate students of French as a second language wrote and illustrated short stories to be used as reading materials by beginning and other intermediate students. The activity provided both purposeful, satisfying writing experience and a substantial collection of texts, including children's stories, fables,…

Use of the writing workshop format to introduce creative writing in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes is discussed. The reasons for including creative writing and using the writing workshop format are outlined, and the author's experience using this format in three very different teaching situations (basic ESL writing, academic ESL, and…

Class activities for developing Spanish proficiency in third- and fourth-year high school students and first- and second-year college students are presented. Activities include a discussion of teaching for proficiency, drawing on recent research, and notes on the design and intent of the activities. Sample exercises for listening comprehension…

Several techniques used to enhance creativity in writing workshops are offered as potential exercises in writing and literature appreciation for French second-language classes. The activities include wordplay, linking poetry and narration, and story creation by computer program. (MSE)

A discussion of the communicative approach in the second language classroom reasserts its value while highlighting some of the difficulties in implementing the approach: time constraints; difficulty in providing motivation for communication in the more formal language registers; potential imbalance in emphasis on oral and written communication…

This document consists of online instructional materials designed for adult education use. It is a seven lesson course designed to help the student develop better spelling and grammar skills, write with greater purpose and focus, and exercise better word choice through an enriched vocabulary. Detailed lessons, complete with worksheets and…

Five teachers of English as a Second Language describe activities used in their classrooms, including topical student journals in an intensive language course; current events journals; postcard-writing to promote authentic, communicative expression; student-designed bumper stickers; and a fashion show to teach adjective use. (MSE)

One of four intermediate-level student activity books in a series, this book offers a selection of exercises, word-games, puzzles, cartoons, sentence-completion and vocabulary-building activities in modern Ukrainian. It is intended for both heritage language and second language learners. There is a brief word list in the back of each book. "Deeds…

One of four intermediate-level student activity books in a series, this book offers a selection of exercises, word-games, puzzles, cartoons, sentence-completion and vocabulary-building activities in modern Ukrainian. It is intended for both heritage language and second language learners. There is a brief word list in the back of each book.…