Contends that aims and goals of many language courses lack the precision needed for effective teaching and evaluation and that there is a need to write precise statements of objectives in terms of pupils' learning rather than in terms of teachers' activities. Suggests how to write learning objectives. (SED)

The literature suggests that teachers may rely more often on intuition when making course planning decisions than on informed assessment of learners' needs (Barkhuizen 1998; Spratt 1999). This article proposes a more principled alternative to the intuitive approach, based on the use of teacher-designed class-specific questionnaires intended to…

Distinguishes between text authenticity and learner authenticity. A set of guiding principles for making textually authentic materials learner authentic is suggested. A 3-week supplementary English program, which was devised for a group of Hong Kong Polytechnic students based on these principles, is described. (12 references) (Author/CK)