Stuart McLean refers in this commentary to Jeffrey Huffman's article "Reading Rate Gains during a One-Semester Extensive Reading Course" (v26 n2 p17-33 Oct 2014) [See: EJ1044344], in which Huffman reports that extensive reading (ER) was an effective way to provide large amounts of comprehensible input to foreign language learners, but…

Calls for reexamination of English courses, as to content, organization, and procedures. Adds a report of experience with language workrooms at "general education schools" in Bremen, and some suggestions regarding intensive courses. (IFS/WGA)

Reviews research on the time factor in language pedagogy and on the relationship between time and other factors such as age, aptitude, previous language learning experience, and the total curriculum. Discusses the advantages of compact courses and outlines steps to be taken to implement them successfully. (SED)

Discusses the language teaching situation on the secondary level in West Germany, and reforms aimed at improving the possibilities of studying languages other than English. (AM)

Describes a new reading and writing intensive course developed for college level intermediate German. Discusses reasons for developing such a course, its theoretical underpinnings, course content, teaching methodology, and assessment mechanisms. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the question of separate incorporation versus Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) control of the Commission of Intensive English Program Accreditation. (Author/VWL)

The study discussed here involves the idea sources of a group of English-as-a-Second-Language teachers in an intensive English program in the western United States. Its conceptual context is teacher beliefs and cognition, a research area that was more active in mainstream education in previous decades and only recently is beginning to have an…

Discusses two compulsory reading courses offered simultaneously for English language majors in China: Intensive reading (IR) and extensive reading (ER). Discusses how the role of IR has been challenged over the last two decades. Suggests that IR is still a valuable approach but that teachers need to revise their methods and procedures. (Author/VWL)

Discusses four possible ways to conduct language-acquisition activities in the foreign-language classroom: (1) vivid linking; (2) story retelling; (3) self-directed statement; and (4) role playing. (Author/VWL)

Describes a case study carried out in an intensive English program where students had the opportunity to produce their own videos. To provide choices for this diverse student population, different courses were created that address student needs and interests in various ways. (Author/VWL)

Describes how the Internet was used for online interaction in a 10-week English-as-a-Second-Language course. Students were highly motivated and seeking eventual admittance to undergraduate programs through successful completion of International English language Testing System (IELTS) examinations. (Author/VWL)

Suggests a quick and practical supplementary test that can solve many of the difficulties of student placement in intensive English programs (IEPs). Dictation is suggested as an easy and efficient way to gain information about students' underlying abilities to communicate. (Author/VWL)

Provides information to administrators of intensive English programs (IEPs) who are considering implementing an internship program into their IEPs; asks administrators with existing internship programs to reflect on their programs in light of information gathered from other programs; and informs recent graduates of Master's in Teaching English as…

Explores the use of an institutionally-sponsored program of reflective teaching (RT) activities at a university-based intensive English program in the United States. The activities are analyzed in terms of their function not only as a means of teacher development, but as a socialization mechanism for the teachers into the role and practice of…

Discusses curriculum design and development for intensive English programs (IEP). Describes a study on recent and future curricular innovations in IEP programs. Makes suggestions for successful IEP programs, including useful orientations, accurate assessment and bridge programs, faculty and staff training in diversity awareness, better student…