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)

The current effort to produce realistic "problem texts" is here subjected to criticism. One controversial text is offered to stimulate criticism and opinions on the suitability of such texts for teaching foreign languages. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Current emphasis on communication in FL teaching should not rule out the use of literary texts, for these reveal segments of human life and patterns of language. The treatment of such texts is discussed. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Ninety-three French textbooks were examined to produce this overview of content and methodology; the analysis indicates the books have introduced few innovations and follow traditional modes of presentation. (CK)

Finds that teaching textbooks are becoming more complex and difficult, and less interesting. A procedure is suggested for measuring these qualities in a textbook, based on the "Reading Ease" and "Human Interest" indices of R. Flesh, in Volume 6 of his work "The Good Companion". Two samples from texts are appended. (IFS/WGA)

Finds three faults, from the teacher's viewpoint, in the phonetic transcription in English textbooks used in German People's Universities: many unfamiliar symbols, many irrelevant distinctions, and failure to mention important variations. Suggests improvements in vowel treatment based on Hornby, "Oxford Progressive English" (London,…

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)

Presents for analysis actual texts and texts specially written for teaching, arriving at a basis for a typology of actual texts. Defines teaching aims using such texts, and develops, from a TV program, a teaching unit used in a Karlsruhe school. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

The three major Latin textbooks published since 1968 are analyzed and they are shown to employ the latest theories of learning and of second language acquistion. (CK)

After briefly discussing the causes and meaning of laughter, the phenomenon of the comic, the value of humor, and the difference between cruelty and "mellow" humor, the article examines the role of humor in the language class. It concludes that humor, meeting the highest standards, both textual and pictorial, provides a valuable motivational…

This paper explores the changing attitudes concerning sex-role stereotyping and discusses the part played by textbooks in the formation of sex-role attitudes. It examines in this regard a widely-used textbook for the teaching of French. (Author/CFM)

Assuming that ability to communicate is the main goal of foreign language teaching, the article examines a textbook dialogue for its authenticity. An improved version is printed beside the original, and justifications for the changes are given. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Using selected lessons from the textbooks "Learning English" (Klett) and "English for Today" (Schrodel-Lensing) for the beginner's level, it is shown that modern-oriented texts, critical of content and having an emancipated outlook, are not presented at all, or only in the beginning. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Reviews four approaches to selecting language textbooks and outlines points to be considered before selecting. (CK)