Discusses ways of teaching of English phonetics to native speakers of Spanish in Spain. A summary of the basic problems students of phonetics face and the possible solutions are discussed. (Author/VWL)

Illustrates through the concept of causality how thinking and language are connected. Suggests that an approach to instruction that understands the foreign or second language as a medium of learning provides a deeper vision of the processes of language as a medium of learning. (Author/VWL)

Introduces the term "meta-pedagogical" and presents two case studies of English-as-a-foreign-language learners describing and evaluating their lessons, making the point that in the course of face-to-face interviews carried out over a 10-week period, these two individuals manifested a great deal of knowledge about teaching practice. (Author/VWL)

Reconsiders the general question of the role of articulatory phonetics in the second language (L2) classroom and reviews the phonetic presentation in 10 recent first-year Spanish texts. Proposes a phonetics program based on the notion of a learners' dialect, then measures the phonetics of the textbooks against a learners' dialect. Argues against…

Reexamines the interface between foreign language study and language awareness (LA) in the light of developments since LA was first proposed 25 years ago. (Author/VWL)

A discussion of task-based second-language instruction gives background on the underlying theory for task-based instruction, task characteristics and components, research on task-based instruction (task features, task implementation conditions), measurement issues, selection and presentation of tasks (pre-, during, and post-task phases), and…

Describes one teacher's success with using "Harry Potter" in a program to teach elementary school English language learners. Provides comprehension strategies incorporated to help learners understand the story. Highlights the importance of creating a classroom environment with a low level of anxiety, the implications of the program, and the value…

Discusses an updated perspective of good language learners that takes into account sociocultural and poststructural views of second language acquisition. Suggests the study of successful language learning should include the ways in which learners' participation is received and acted upon within the communities in which they use their second…

Investigates the effectiveness of placing more emphasis on reading in the elementary and intermediate foreign language classroom. Explores approaches to and models of foreign language reading, such as schema theory and content language teaching. Discusses the appropriate point at which to adapt the various strategies. (Author/VWL)

Discusses ways a high school Spanish teacher has increasingly sought opportunities to introduce her students to the customs and traditions of Mexican culture. Notes her goal as a teacher is to present the cultural event and to encourage students to look at the belief system behind it. Discusses a series of class activities involving the "Dia…

Evaluated the effect on French language proficiency of an integrated formal, analytic and functional, communicative approach to second language teaching in the immersion classroom. Impetus for the study arises from previous research indicating that immersion children show persistent weaknesses in their grammatical skills despite the fluent,…

Mnemonic devices summarize and simplify grammar rules, especially when applied to the verb forms found in Romance languages. The article presents two mnemonic devices helpful in summarizing the uses of two verb tenses. These include coining a word to illustrate a rule and projecting irregular verb forms on a Mexican "sombrero." (four references)…

Discusses the use of focus, or intonational prominence, to create meaning for learners of English. Presents an alternative approach to predicting focus that appeals to functional and meaning regularities that do not depend on extensive written input and are more easily adaptable to normal conversation. (Author/VWL)

Discusses communicative concepts, explores recent research-based communicative grammar activities, and provides detailed examples for the integration of these activities in the German foreign language classroom. (Author/VWL)

Following a review of the language teaching practices of the past 50 years, reassess ten second language acquisition (SLA) research generalizations in light of the considerable amount of classroom-based SLA research that has been carried out since 1985, especially that which has addressed pedagogical concerns in primary and secondary school…