The field of English as a second language has gone through a number of changes in the last decades and has seen extreme adjustments throughout the methods of teaching and curriculum planning. This article finds the relevance of the old methods to the new methods. After providing the background it becomes apparent that almost all the older methods…

Argues that literature should have a place in the foreign language classroom even at the beginning level. It aids in clarifying vocabulary, grammatical structures and certain cultural idiosyncracies. (Text is in German.) (TL)

Text is in German.

Describes the development of teaching materials for the intermediate grades, consisting of six teaching units of various degrees of difficulty, and of four learning programs, each dealing with a particular feature of grammar. (IFS/WGA)

The term "syllabus" usually refers to an outline statement of what is to be taught and learned in a particular course. Among the several types of statements for language-teaching syllabuses are the grammatical, notional, and situational. These statements are not in themselves syllabuses but can be called pre-syllabuses. A grammatical…

Reports an investigation into possibilities of using word processors and text analysis software with English as second language (ESL) students to determine (1) if foreign students can learn to use computer equipment, (2) if students feel time invested is worthwhile, and (3) if ESL students' problems with writing American academic prose can be…

Reexamines the theoretical presuppositions of current pedagogical second-language approaches, and questions certain assumptions that have been generally accepted. It is shown that the lack of a theoretical base for current approaches has led to weaknesses in second-language acquisition philosophy, language curriculum structuring, and the role of…

This paper first addresses the issue of the contradictory nature of informed opinion and advice in the foreign language field today. It goes on to consider such controversial topics as the introduction of the written symbol, teaching the language versus teaching about it, teaching culture, the usefulness of FLES, and individualization. The…

Most textbooks for teaching foreign languages have as their basis a grammatical syllabus. The theory has been that it is easier for students to learn a language if they are exposed to one part of the grammatical system at a time. Recently critics have questioned this theory, arguing that the grammatical syllabus fails to provide the necessary…

Linguistic oddities left behind by the historical development of German may be used to assist students in learning German and give them a clearer picture of both the German language and culture. Examples are given and suggestions are made on how best to integrate these oddities into the curriculum at the undergraduate level. (31 references) (LET)

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES INHERENT IN CURRENT METHODS OF MODERN LANGUAGE TEACHING ARE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PEDAGOGY DERIVED FROM THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF LANGUAGE. THE IMPACT OF PHILOGICAL AND LINGUISTIC STUDIES OF "EXOTIC LANGUAGES" ON TRADITIONAL GRAMMATICAL CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE…

Sets out the advantages of a functional/notional syllabus as opposed to a grammatical syllabus. Presents topics around which to build a functional/notional syllabus in teaching college-level French. Makes suggestions, based on students' perception of their communicative needs, for the sequencing of these materials. (PMJ)

This book is one in a series of practical guides for teaching foreign languages. Designed for future teachers of Spanish in high school or at the undergraduate level, as well as for practicing teachers who are interested in keeping up with the latest material in their field, this book re-evaluates foreign-language teaching methodology in the light…

This manual of tape scripts, together with a set of foreign language audio tapes for level 1 Italian, was prepared to support the curriculum bulletin, New York City Foreign Language Program for Schools: Italian, Levels 1-4. Vocabulary, repetition, transformation, and recombination drills on specific grammatical features allow further development…

This second manual of tape scripts, together with a set of foreign language audio tapes for level 2 French, was prepared to support the curriculum bulletin, New York City Foreign Language Program for Secondary Schools: French, Levels 1-5. Vocabulary, repetition, transformation, and recombination drills on specific grammatical features allow…