Informational texts are useful for teaching fundamental linguistic structures, because their stylistic variables can be ignored, and because they provide information about aspects of the world which the student will encounter in literary texts. Literary texts speak directly to the reader, and have high motivational value. (IFS/WGA)

Shows, from actual examples, how advanced students can be led to work on authentic texts. A model file includes four phases: motivation, filter, analysis, transfer. Work in each phase is discussed and illustrated. Suggestions are added for publishers for constructing such files. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Criticizes the three leading Russian textbooks used in West Germany for not basing their phonetic teaching on a firm knowledge of Russian phonemes. Suggestions are made for incorporating a "minimum phonetics" into a basic Russian course. Authentic language situations, imitation, and theory are important. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Criticizes beginning textbooks for emphasizing literary or area study material instead of matters pertaining to the students' lives. Presents a taped classroom conversation by sixth-grade students after two years of English instruction, showing how students at this level can handle conversations about matters familiar to them. (IFS/WGA)