Using frequency findings from corpus linguistics, explores the relationship between the information presented in English-as-a-Second/Foreign-Language (ESL/EFL) materials and what is known about actual language use based on empirical studies. Three aspects of materials development for grammar instruction are discussed. (Author/VWL)

In the communities dealing with the design and implementation of on-line teaching and training (higher education, government, industry), SCORM is a hot topic these days. The "Sharable Content Object Reference Model" is a standard for the packaging and deployment of Web-based "learning objects," defined by Bob Banks as "a relatively small, reusable…

A General Accounting Office recommendation that the government foreign language training community maximize its resources has resulted in a revitalization of the Interagency Language Roundtable in the last two years. The five new committees formed and their work are described. (RM)

The concluding conference of the Council for Cultural Cooperation's Project on Foreign Languages is summarized according to the following framework: (1) the aims, the principle themes discussed at the conference, and the general results; (2) the considerations, proposals, and needs that were identified by the conference and the working groups; (3)…

The National Endowment for the Humanities supports a University of Michigan-Flint effort to develop multimedia curriculum materials to teach French as an international and multicultural language. The project concentrates on non-European French-speaking areas. Filmstrips, reading materials and tapes record characteristic life, music, speech and…

Describes the development and evaluation of a new academic word list that was completed from a corpus of 3.5 million running words of written academic text by examining the range and frequency of words outside the first 2,000 most frequently occurring words in English. Explains the problems with existing word lists intended to guide materials…

Adult language learners have specific learning goals that reflect their lives within a global society, and adults negotiate multiple and changing identities throughout their personal, academic, and professional lives. Chapters in "Authenticity in the Language Classroom and Beyond: Adult Learners" highlight how teachers have the ability…

The design of computer materials for self-directed language learning is discussed from two points of view: (1) adaptability or flexibility of computer materials; and (2) the potential and limitations of computer-assisted instruction for enhancing autonomous learning. Important considerations in designing flexible materials through careful…

Exercises are linguistically or content-oriented. There are three levels of silent reading: orienting, cursory and total. In designing exercises, emphasis should be placed on cursory reading. (Beginners have to concentrate on "total" reading.) Hints are given in acquiring skill in summarizing and excerpting. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Discusses the use of television in university-preparatory schools. The exercises are supplementary to "Deutsch 2000" (M. Hueber, Munich), and deal with land and culture. Three short films are presented, for use in free comment. Examples of grammar, vocabulary and dictation exercises are given. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Even for foreigners who have completed intermediate or advanced courses in English, technical prose may prove difficult because of a lack of knowledge of vocabulary and syntax. A research program investigates these variables to improve EFL instruction. (CK)

Serious basic research leading to adequate descriptions of English and other languages of wider communication around the world in their sociolinguistic contexts is needed. This must be accompanied by applied research in second language acquisition and innovative research in teaching methodology and curriculum and materials development. With the…

Describes the development of teaching materials for the intermediate grades, consisting of six teaching units of various degrees of difficulty, and of four learning programs, each dealing with a particular feature of grammar. (IFS/WGA)

Presents areas of agreement among professionals on research and theory in language teaching as it is applicable to classroom methodology and contrasts these with assumptions held by many teachers and laypersons. Considers the practical implications of these points of accord and presents recommendations for teacher training and the development of…

This paper presents the challenges involved in designing a full set of online tutorial materials for a beginners' Spanish course for distance language learners utilising an online audiographic conferencing VLE for synchronous oral interaction. Although much has been written about task design and task-based learning and teaching (TBLT) in language…