Suggests some techniques for capturing students' attention at the beginning of a language class in the elementary grades. (AM)

Suggests the use of modern magazine advertisements as a vehicle for cultural understanding, particularly in beginning courses. Pros and cons of the use of advertisements are considered and criteria for their selection are presented. (EJS)

Outlines a lesson used for the second level of French instruction in the Hong Kong branch of the Alliance Francaise. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Outlines a method for teaching French conversation by means of audiovisual aids. The article is part of a series reporting on French language instruction in the Irish branch of the Alliance Francaise. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Outlines a model for teaching French whose goal is to approximate actual language behavior as opposed to the artificial models usually provided in textbooks. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Discusses the changing nature of linguistics following the advent of sociolinguistics, and explores the implications for language instruction. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

This article discusses the uses of dramatics as a teaching technique in the instruction of Spanish as a second language. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

This article focuses on two elements of the dialogue: the "real-life" quality of the language (where to find "real-life" language, how to check its authenticity, how to record it) and the element of unpredictability (how to create "real-life" dialogues with unexpected responses which necessitate well-developed listening skills). (CFM)

This survey discusses the following: definition of bilingual education; origin and development of bilingual education; history of the Chinese bilingual program; the learners; language transfer or maintenance; types of Chinese bilingual education; treatment of language mediums; courses in a bilingual program; and teaching Chinese as a first…

Argues for a reconceptualization of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research in order to enlarge the ontological and empirical parameters of the field. Claims that methodologies, theories, and foci within SLA reflect an imbalance between cognitive and mentalistic orientations, and social and contextual orientations to language, the former…

Addresses the question of the relationship between the "Australian Language Levels (ALL) Guidelines" and current directions in language teaching and learning in Australia. Presents observations about these guidelines and their current status and use and relates these observations to the current draft of the "National Statement and…

Notes that information presented in dialog form in a foreign language lends itself more easily to conversation than does intricate narrative prose. Using background information on Halloween, the article adapts the text to present information about the target culture as well as to humorously present facts about the North American festivity.…

Presents information regarding how North American teachers of Spanish can use authentic texts in Spanish to introduce some measure of cultural authenticity to their students. The article suggests that instructors need to use strategic orientation to reading tasks in order to overcome any possible cultural mismatches. (seven references) (Author/CK)

Argues that the focus of foreign-language instruction needs to be on students learning to become more efficient in using another language. This focus means charting each student's progress along the continuum of proficiency from novice to intermediate to advanced levels, not just checking off a list of what has been taught from the curriculum. (CK)

Adult migrant learners of English were studied to investigate the effect of instruction on interlanguage development. Examination of the acquisition of a syntactic structure, "do-fronted questions," supported claims for the productiveness of form-focused instruction and suggested that the success of instruction depended on whether specific…