The second language learner, in acquiring grammatical rules, must draw hypotheses about language from exposure to examples and use these hypotheses for creating further utterances. Mistakes which force the formation of new hypotheses are a natural part of this process. A sample lesson taking these factors into consideration is presented. (FWB)

This article discusses the now established" fact that one aspect of language development in native English speakers is the increasing ability to embed larger and larger numbers of sentence consituents and considers its implications for second language acquisition. (FB)

An attempt at summarizing current trends and ideas in first and second language teaching methodology. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that informal and formal environments contribute to different aspects of second language competence, the former affecting acquired competence and the latter affecting learned competence. Data is presented that suggests that the classroom can be used simultaneously as a formal and informal linguistic…

This article discusses the problems encountered by second language learners in mastering the phonology of the target language, and suggests the use of music in second language teaching, particularly for intonation. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Assesses the importance and implications of the 'critical period' in second-language learning, which occurs when second-language learning overlaps primary language learning, ages two to thirteen. (LG)

The documents listed in this selected bibliography on language teaching and learning appeared in the January through November 1974 issues of Research in Education (RIE). The entries are divided into three categories: (1) documents concerning language acquisition and development, (2) documents dealing primarily with the theoretical aspects of…

Tests to discover the nature of the second language learner's language are discussed. Such tests are based on the assumptions that the development of the system of the foreign language in the learner follows certain regular patterns, and that the learner's grammar is essentially systematic at any stage of his learning. (RM)

This issue of the "SLANT" Newsletter for researchers in second language acquisition is highlighted by a report of research on second language acquisition by immigrant workers in West Germany (including research in progress and a bibliography). Also included are reports from various language acquisition conferences; a listing of summer…

Implicit in the discussion of views taken by Wolfe, Geschwind, and Newmark is a claim that no learning theory based solely on "nurture" can account for the fact that language acquisition in childhood is a trait, in adulthood a skill. The child can master the language system completely, regardless of his intellectual capacity or his social…

This article discusses the psychology of second language learning, and specifically comments on Gantier's book on the teaching of foreign languages. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

The notion that second language instruction is more effective if begun at an early age is seen as arising from cognitive-nativist and neuropsychological postulates, and from the argument of "affective purity." Each of these positions is reviewed, along with frequently-heard objections to each. A fresh perspective on the issue is thus…

This bibliography cites bibliographies of works dealing with language learning and teaching, and with English as a foreign or second language. Entries include both American and European publications, most published since 1970. (CLK)

One of the essential differences between teaching a first and a second language is that the former is merely learned whereas the latter must usually be taught. This difference, while not absolute, still has enormous consequences. Although the "natural method" of second-language teaching is often championed, there is no way whereby the…