Based on a sample of 95 first- and second-grade children with a Spanish language orientation (SPLO), psychometric information is provided for a newly constructed auditory perception test designed for children who are attempting to acquire basic reading, writing, and oral skills in standard American English. (Author/CTM)

Israeli Arab- and Jewish-educated children were given perceptual exploration tasks to test the effects of language on directionality in reading and writing habits. (Author/SS)

Investigated the effects of text modification and task on incidental learning of foreign-language vocabulary by reading. The study focuses on how different cue types and a task would affect processing of input, initial learning, and retention of the meaning of target words. Results indicate that single and multiple-choice marginal gloss conditions…

Australian enrollment statistics support the general trend that boys are more likely than girls to discontinue their study of languages and less likely to excel in the language class. The article argues that language teachers need to promote language learning for boys and work proactively on developing teaching methods that will suit boys and…

As Australian teachers negotiate a curriculum in which languages other than English assume the status of key learning area, and as the impact of this development becomes more tangible, language teachers will need to embrace change. Self-directed learning will be significant within this context and self-access packages will provide students with…

Summarizes the important workshops of the 1996 Language Teachers Association of the Northern Territory, Australia. One workshop suggests that every individual possesses a unique blend of seven intelligences. Three others focus on catering to a range of learners through the provision of multimedia tasks, by self-directed learning and through…

Presents a quasi-experimental study conducted among younger immersion students that focused on determining whether an area of French vocabulary identified as problematic for these students can be successfully learned via increased exposure to such vocabulary in interesting reading material supplemented with associated analytic language activities.…

Examines whether computer networks can empower second-language learners, focusing on three aspects: autonomy, equality, and learning skills. The article concludes that these networks, appropriately used, can empower students, and provides pedagogical suggestions for effective computer networking in the second- and foreign-language classroom. (66…

Illustrates how to use ethnographic techniques to acquire a better understanding of classroom dynamics. The article focuses on the characterization of "success" in an Italian class through analysis of interaction patterns and purposes of the participants. Findings reveal the need for a continuity of teacher and students' goals, methods, and forms…

Reviews current approaches to second-language syllabus design in the United Kingdom and proposes a model for planning a five-year course of study within the national curriculum framework that will take account of both the meanings a learner may wish to express and the grammatical knowledge needed, i.e., a model reconciling the semantic and…

Discusses problems associated with existing commercial word processing materials and shows the reasons why their use in second language (L2) instructional settings is inappropriate. Describes the processes and obstacles involved in creating a manual for use in formal computer lab L2 instructional settings or by students learning word processing…

Investigates the degree of importance that Human Resources Departments of Ohio's international businesses place on foreign languages and cross-cultural understanding when selecting candidates for employment; on foreign languages and cross-cultural training of these employees; and on cooperation with colleges and universities to provide the…

In this article, autonomous learning in foreign languages is defined and the steps for introducing it to Year 9 low-ability students and Year 10 high-ability students are described. (six references) (CK)

Evaluates the effectiveness of video and interactive multimedia in increasing second-language skills. Subjects were 20 students from an all-girls private high school; half watched an English-subtitled video of a French film and half worked on a multimedia program for the film. Results indicate that an interactive multimedia program is more…

Discusses the appropriate education for engineers in the global workplace and focuses on the need for bilingual and cross-cultural training. A questionnaire was designed and distributed among engineering professionals in Germany, Spain, France and England in one division of a company which makes fastening components for many of the world's major…