A study of 146 university students attempted to identify a combination of learning modalities that might be correlated with foreign language anxiety. A setwise multiple regression analysis revealed that, of 20 learning-modality variables, only responsibility and peer-orientation appeared to be related to foreign-language anxiety. (Author/VWL)

Computer-assisted language-learning literature points to a need for experimentation with innovative learning structures to realize the full potential of recent technological developments. Reports on a research project that addresses these concerns by exploring the experiences of 23 French second-language learners as they worked independently with…

Investigates the study abroad experience of two students in a summer program in France to see what kind of interactions influenced their learning. Results show that while homestays played a clear role in learning, other factors such as the nature of the pre-departure preparation meetings, absence of an on-site director, and prior cross-cultural…

Investigated the effects of modality, information type, and language experience on recall by foreign language learners of Spanish. Fifty-four intermediate and advanced level university students participated in the study by reading and listening to an expository passage, and then performing a recall task. The protocols were then statistically…

Discusses ways a high school Spanish teacher has increasingly sought opportunities to introduce her students to the customs and traditions of Mexican culture. Notes her goal as a teacher is to present the cultural event and to encourage students to look at the belief system behind it. Discusses a series of class activities involving the "Dia…

Focuses on the proper place of interlanguage pragmatics in the realm of second-language acquisition (SLA). This introductory essay describes the thematic issue of the ensuing articles as an endeavor to move interlanguage pragmatics more closely toward the center of SLA. The research suggests that many aspects of pragmatic competence can be…

Analyzes think-aloud protocols with native speakers of English learning French or German. Shows that as the writer's experience with the language increases, fluency increases, the average length of strings of words proposed between pauses or revision episodes increases, the number of revision episodes decreases, and more of the words proposed as…

Reviews historical antecedents and present-day context of literacy teaching in bilingual communities. Outlines four biliteracy categories of language learners. Highlights three projects with different bilingual contexts and different combinations of learning factors. Asserts that literacy instruction should not be restricted to the mother tongue,…

Confirms the advantages of immersion in a foreign language in a study abroad context, but points out some of the problems that arise for individual students. Highlights the difficulties two students encountered in their stays with French families: they were uncomfortable with their hosts, barely spoke French, and were led to misinterpret French…

Reports on the assessment of student background knowledge along a continuum of language dependency using a set of three probes. Examines improved student performance in each of the respective assessments on the extent to which a sound natural history background facilitated meaningful learning relative to English as Second Language (ESL)…

Identifies and examines the problems that staff in multinational corporations (MNCs) experience in horizontal communication with other units and discusses the implications of these problems for in-company language training. Concludes that illustrative interview data suggests that corporate training schemes should focus on the broad spectrum of…

Feedback from 22 adults enrolled in evening language classes revealed a need for clear precourse information and advice, appropriate assessment and placement, and attention to group dynamics in order to retain learners in language classes. (SK)

Discusses usability engineering for multimedia learning environments and considers how it can benefit the design and development of educational software. Describes the design and development of interactive multimedia software for second-language learning that included input from users and field testing for usability. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study that investigated the metacognitive knowledge of students in relation to the context of distance foreign language learning at Massey University (New Zealand). Explores the metacognitive experiences of students and the effect students believe these experiences have on their understandings of themselves and their learning context.…

German editorial cartoonists use the Michel figure to represent German citizens' concerns and aspirations. The 1949 division of Germany affected Michel's appearance, with Michel occasionally appearing as twins. Such representations became more prevalent after German unification in 1990. This article comments on 10 editorial cartoons which…