Compared two methods for correcting transfer errors in the foreign language classroom. Eight commonly encountered English-to-French transfer errors were identified and randomly assigned to one or two teaching conditions for one class section; each error was assigned to the opposite condition for the other section. (29 references) (VWL)

An examination of the logic of second language processing argues that knowledge of language structure does not necessarily result in effective language comprehension. Teachers must help students to bridge the gap between translation, which emphasizes lexical and syntactic meaning, and interpretation, which involves global comprehension. (CB)

A multilanguage project for development of a foreign-language curriculum is reported along with the teaching method that has evolved from it. The method is represented primarily in a set of "mini-courses," each being a short introduction to a given language. (Contains 34 references.) (Author/LB)

Most French students encounter verbal aspect in the first semester although it is one of the more sophisticated concepts. Contrasting the two aspects has long been one of the methods. This article proposes that carefully chosen questions about contrasting pairs may lead to an earlier mastery. (26 references) (Author/CK)

Describes the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA), an instructional model designed to increase the achievement of English-language-learning students, by integrating content-area instruction with language development activities and explicit instruction in learning strategies. Includes examples of ways in which CALLA teachers…

Investigated pragmatic declarative and procedural knowledge as realized by routine formulas and conversational strategies with 19 American college students learning German as a Second Language. The results suggest that language instruction that has the goal of developing metapragmatic declarative and procedural knowledge results in real progress…

Contrastive analysis has an important role to play in the contemporary second-language classroom. It will move more and more into a domain of analysis that will focus on the underlying conceptual systems of the native language and target language. (Contains 48 references.) (LB)

Learners in an English for specific purposes workshop in northeast Thailand determined and accomplished their own objectives through the use of logbooks. Analyses of logbook writings and videotaped comments and observations showed the usefulness of logbooks as an available source of assessment information and future program planning. (Contains…

Focuses on the teaching of language "per se," in the part of the lesson that often precedes work with a passage and the interactional activities that result from that exploitation. The optimum three-way split between formal language work, grammar-awareness raising, and communicative activities will vary from class to class. (CK)

Examines four well-known BBC language courses, "Deutsch Direkt!""A Vous la France!""Viva Espana," and "Buongiorno Italia!" It is suggested that these courses focus on tourism, stereotyping both learners and the target culture and that the presentation of the cultural materials is unrealistic. (VWL)

Use of the global simulation method for second-language teaching, in which an entire community or environment such as a village is created for extended role playing, is discussed. Benefits, considerations, and specific techniques for creating the environment and designing a language curriculum are outlined. (12 references) (MSE)

Videotaping student skits is described as a means for accommodating communicative tasks into curricular and time restrictions of college and university second-language classrooms. Suggestions for preparing and performing the tasks are provided. (four references) (LB)

"Xiangsheng," a Chinese oral art form, are written and performed using idiomatic, colloquial Beijing speech and thus provide excellent material for studying spoken Chinese. Suggestions for preparing xiangsheng as teaching materials and teaching xiangsheng in the classroom are offered. Chinese character transcription, pinyin transcription,…

Considers how metaphor's central position in the structure of language, its contribution to concept development, and its cognitive functions endow it with properties uniquely combined to assist in the learning of grammar and vocabulary. Frames of reference based on metaphor are well placed to simplify instruction and encourage learner…

The inability to focus on the rhythmic pattern as a whole is one of the main deficiencies in the teaching of English rhythm, and it is partly responsible for syllabic rhythm in the speech of learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). A technique is proposed that isolates the segmental phones and sequences so that EFL learners recognize them.…