Critiques a study on instruction, first language influence, and developmental readiness in second language acquisition. Agrees with conclusions of the study but argues that the study itself provided no justification for the conclusion other than what has been evident in research carried out on Quebec francophone school learners of English. The…

Proposes the use of authentic texts as the basis for course work from the very beginning of foreign language study. Argues that by practicing cultural analysis, students are better prepared for advanced work than students who have been in a strictly language-oriented class. (Author/VWL)

Discusses using science fiction stories in the English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) classroom. Presents experiences in a science fiction course with some successful methods in eliciting EFL students' discussion. Concludes that using both film and text versions of science fiction stories can be useful devices in helping EFL students participate…

Describes the characteristics of the teaching and learning of English as a Foreign Language in the secondary school classroom. Discusses what empowerment is concerned with in foreign language education. Exemplifies an experiential approach that aims to empower the teaching and learning of EFL through addressing the experience dimension and the…

Focuses on genre and its application in language teaching and learning. Suggests genre approaches have had an impact on how we understand discourse and transform literacy education in different contexts around the world. Describes studies on generic integrity and variation, and the ways that genres are seen as similar and different in terms of…

Investigates how different types of focus-on-form instruction affect second language learning of English grammatical structure, particularly present perfect. Results showed that subjects with both rule instruction and visual enhancement of input showed higher proficiency than other groups in the short term. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of what has become the standard approach to teaching relative clauses. To overcome the disadvantages, proposes a hierarchical teaching method that begins by introducing noun phrases that contain relative clauses before comparing them with similar structures in the learner's first language. Shows an…

Illustrates the pedagogical potential of advertising messages in the French immersion classroom. Students learn to develop a critical analysis of the advertising messages they see and hear. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the content-based approach to foreign language instruction and highlights a content-based unit that has been used successfully. The approach includes brainstorming; mapping; singing; recognizing, labeling, and describing; story dramatization and pantomime; writing compositions; and creative activities. (Author/VWL)

An output-centered approach to foreign language instruction is presented that emphasizes a focus on form. Argues that "pushed output" is a crucial element of the language classroom environment that is focused on oral skills development among learners. (Author/VWL)

Suggests using a court trial as an activity for teaching drama to English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) students. Describes use of a court trial for teaching Macbeth to EFL students in Jordan. (Author/VWL)

Examines the task of teaching writing in a second language. Examines the skills specific to writing beyond vocabulary and language structure, including transcribing using the language of writing, and composing. Looks at writing in relation to other skills, approaches to teaching writing, and successful writing instruction. (Author/VWL)

Examines whether instruction can facilitate second language acquisition (SLA). Considers studies investigating the effects of instruction on the rate and ultimate level of attainment of SLA as well as on the route of development of acquisition. Explores implications for classroom teaching in the area of syllabus design, teaching materials,…

Discusses how to maximize classroom participation in the English-as-a-Second-or-Foreign-Language classroom, and provides a classroom discussion method that is based on real-life problem solving. (Author/VWL)

Teachers in English Language Learning classrooms have long faced the challenge of working with children who have diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and wide-ranging linguistic skill sets. A child from El Salvador, for example, will need to practice different pronunciation and stress patterns than a child from Vietnam. Technology can help…