It is argued that three misconceptions about language learning have limited the utility of performance objectives in individualized second language instruction. These misconceptions--confusion between competence and performance, inadequate identification of linguistic elements, and assumption that linguistic elements correspond to learning…

In a brief introduction, this article expresses the concern that the concentration on the external components in audiolingually-oriented foreign language programs has diverted attention from the instructional fundamentals of time, learning processes, environmental structure, and teacher and student roles. A review of such basic principles of the…