IF LANGUAGE CAN BE CONSIDERED AS ONE FORM AMONG SEVERAL BY MEANS OF WHICH MEANING CAN BE CONCEIVED AND TRANSFERRED, THEN IT FOLLOWS THAT LANGUAGE TEACHING SHOULD LEAD ABOVE ALL TO THE FACILE TRANSFER OF MEANING. ACCEPTANCE OF THIS CONCEPT WILL INFLUENCE THE CHOICE OF METHODS AND MATERIALS BEST SUITED TO YIELD THIS RESULT. THE TEACHER'S PURPOSE IS…

The state of the art of research in second language acquisition is reviewed. A framework is first established for the examination of second language learning. The concept of proficiency is addressed with respect to its theoretical basis, rating scales, formal tests, and interlanguage studies. The social context of second language acquisition is…

One of the recent trends in language learning is training the learner to learn, so that he or she becomes "autonomous," that is, able to carry out alone the various steps in the learning process. This article concentrates on one of the most important of those steps, the analysis and fulfillment of the learner's needs, and it shows that this is…

The present book is an attempt to stimulate thinking on the nature of the problems involved in writing material for language laboratory use in relation to the teaching of five languages widely taught in Britain today. All the contributors to this volume are language teachers currently using the language laboratory in their work. The editor notes…

This article deals with the teaching of spelling to students of foreign languages. Sample spelling exercises are given, mostly for the teaching of French. The simplest exercises involve filling in blanks with letters in response to a picture, the copying of whole words in activities such as crossword puzzles and sentences with blanks, and…

This paper discusses ways in which the programmed materials in foreign languages developed by the Behavioral Research Laboratories of Palo Alto, California, can be used. Programmed instruction is recommended here as offering guaranteed comprehensibility, tested efficiency, built-in self-correction, and automatic encouragement. Programmed materials…

Behaviorist/structuralist language teachers and theoreticians are beginning to pay attention to contributions from contemporary linguists, psychologists, and educators. This paper draws attention to an obvious, but not often considered, point of interest to all who are engaged in formal language instruction and in related fields. Classroom…

In order to achieve literacy, children must have mastered the decoding and encoding processes of the language of instruction. Usually this has been accomplished long before the child enters school. However, if the child's language is atypical for any reason, such as cultural or linguistic factors, then the acquisition of literacy requires a…

The first part of this bibliography cites selected books concerning the use of drama in teaching English as a foreign language. The second part cites plays designed for various learning levels, with price and addresses included. All entries are British publications. (CLK)

Politeness is discussed as an integral part of human conversational interaction. Awareness of politeness is important to understanding proper language usage. Several sentences may perform the same function but vary in tone from a command to an extremely polite request. Foreign language instruction should expose learners to politeness and the…

This course is designed with one primary goal in view: to encourage and lead the learner to communicate in Cakchiquel in and out of class. Each of the 12 units has a "preparation stage" which consists of a self-instructional program together with other activities for the student preparatory to meeting with the instructor or coming to class. Much…

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…

Three examples are given of cases where differences between Spanish and English syntax and intonation patterns are taught best through direct translation. Grammatical difficulties caused by "gustar" are overcome through the use of translation using "appeal" rather than "please". Similarly, problems for native speakers of English arising with…

This project was designed to develop a test of modality (eye/ear) endowment and to determine the significance of this factor in foreign language instruction. Subjects were junior and senior high school students enrolled in French and Spanish classes. In phases 1 and 2 the Modality Endowment Battery of tests (MEB) was constructed and shown to have…

This learning module is designed to provide the student with an overview of the main areas and manner in which linguistics has influenced second-language teaching and to enable him to: (a) identify the characteristics of language; (b) identify the characteristics of linguistic analysis; (c) define the role of transformational-generative grammar,…