Describes four techniques for using a video camera to generate higher levels of student interest, involvement, and productivity in beginning foreign language courses. The techniques include spontaneous discussion of video images, enhancement of students' use of interrogative pronouns and phrases, grammar instruction, and student-produced skits.…

Examines student perceptions and actions when short skits were incorporated into the English as a second language curriculum in a school for adults and adolescents in Central America. Describes how the skits focused on initial and final consonant sounds. Finds that students overcame their fear of speaking and improved their teamwork skills and…

This paper discusses the use of skits and dialogues in a first-year Chinese course to help novice learners enhance their communicative skills. Because novice learners of Chinese lack the appropriate vocabulary and grammar knowledge to express themselves freely, skits can help them use their limited knowledge to communicate in an effective manner.…