Examination of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) projects sought answers to fundamental design and implementation questions, resulting in some tentative conclusions and four recommendations involving building upon a linguistically theoretic basis, developing deep and meaningful practice, exploring diverse strategies and roles, and…

Describes grading and scoring procedures for advanced placement examinations in two Latin courses: Vergil and Cattalus-Horace. Explanations for cited test items are offered. (CB)

Intermediate-level English as a second language students were examined for levels of reading comprehension. Half of each group (experimental and control) received more complete versions of test passages than the other half, and the experimental group was taught appropriate cultural background information between tests. Background knowledge did…

Argues for an ethnographic reorientation to needs analysis and syllabus design in English for specific purposes in advanced postgraduate centers of science and technology. The seven-stage framework (specify learners, analyze needs, specify enabling objectives, select materials, identify teaching/learning activities, evaluate, and revise) used to…

Examination of the lexical proficiency of 24 near-native and 12 native senior high school speakers of Swedish found no consistent differences between the groups on measures of lexical density, lexical variation, and lexical sophistication. However, clear differences were seen in frequency of errors and in the distribution of error types. (CB)

Describes three types of computer-assisted language learning programs which have been developed in English and Russian, addressing: (1) complex, cyclical, and generative programs; (2) preparatory to communication programs; and (3) stimulating communication programs. (Author/CB)

SPANLAP (SPANish LAnguage Processing) is a computer program which attempts to engage students of Spanish in a free-form written dialog by allowing them to ask questions. The morphological and syntactic parsing process used in SPANLAP is explained. Sample dialog illustrates limitations of the current model. (Author/LMO)

Meaningful and relevant tests of oral competence in foreign languages must address problems impeding communicative competence such as lack of student motivation, unimaginative questions, inhibitive personal questions, and pictorial tests. Examples of test questions are presented in French. (CB)

This discussion of courseware design for computer-assisted language learning in English as a second language (ESL) highlights the role of randomization and creativity. A set of programs is described which are based on error analysis of students in the ESL program at Baruch College and developed around grammatical terms. (Author/LRW)

Evaluation of Chinese-speaking students' responses to a "Reporting Test" of oral proficiency in English as a foreign language indicated that the test may be valid and applicable for assessing oral proficiency. (CB)

Offers a typology of bilingual education in Malaysia, identifying four main types of transfer varieties (initial transfer, retransfer, circular transfer, and gradual transfer) of bilingual education and presenting an overview of bilingual education choices in Malaysia's public schools. (Author/CB)

Consists of three articles discussing the relevance of course work in foreign languages, English, and social studies to specific occupational areas. Describes jobs that make primary and secondary use of these skill areas. (CH)

Describes the use of transparency theory in second language acquisition and, in particular, its use as applied to a survival- or entry-level Spanish-language training effort called the EXITO project. The use of audio and video equipment to enhance the application of transparency theory concepts is also described. (Author/CB)

Finds that college freshmen's opinions on vocabulary acquisition agree with the results of recent research, which states that free reading is the most efficient and effective means of acquiring vocabulary in a first language. Results contrast with a study of university foreign language students, most of whom did not value reading as a means of…

A study investigating correlations between parents' and students' attitudes toward Hebrew and students' achievement in learning it as a second language found low and insignificant correlations between parents' and students' attitudes but high correlation between students' attitudes and achievement. (Author/CB)