Describes a research study into this pronunciation problem. It was found that: (1) the subjects tended to substitute stops and affricates more readily than sibilants and fricatives; (2) there was considerable /s z/ substitution, but no/f v/ substitutions; (3) the pattern of subsitutions proved independent of the level of English proficiency. (RM)

Features of connected discourse that have been identified by discourse analysis may be applied to the evaluation of oral proficiency in a second language. For example, in the area of semantics, a speaker's control of the cause-result relationship involves, among other things, the ability to produce the different grammatical and lexical…

Reports on an experiment designed to test the reliability of the cloze procedure in second language testing, specifically as a measure of overall language proficiency, and as a measure whose results are independent of style. (AM)

Usage of the German "doch" is explained as an aid to teaching. (CHK)

Briefly describes the rationale, history of development, and current status of the "proficiency-based" testing movement in the United States. and cites areas in which additional research and development work are recommended to enhance both the validity and the practical value of this approach. (Author/LMO)

A framework is proposed for an integrated course in which knowledge of a language is consciously related to the processes of interpersonal communication and the cultural aspects of marketing and negotiation. (Editor)

Discusses the provisional proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and explores their application to two important areas of foreign language education--testing and curriculum development. Reviews the features of proficiency and achievement tests and describes two proficiency-based curriculum projects.…

Discusses the findings of five studies which investigated the effects of informal contact on classroom learners' second language abilities. These findings are discussed in terms of six factors which might have contributed to the finding in four of the five studies that informal contact did not lead to increased proficiency. (SED)

Reviews some trends in the measurement of oral fluency in a foreign language and offers an alternative to integrative and discrete point testing and to the oral interview. This alternative looks at two components of fluent speech--speech rate and consonant attraction--as they fit into the parameters of fluency. (SED)

Describes the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) and discusses the SCPI rating scale, linguistic and cultural factors important for sign communicative competence, and skills in communicating simultaneously in signing and speaking. (EKN)

Discusses several tests designed to determine speaking ability which preceded the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Educational Testing Service test and describes the benefits of the American Institute of Musical Studies oral proficiency testing program. (SED)

This article is a study of attempts made to adapt B. S. Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives to foreign language teaching. (Text is in French.) (CDSH/CLK)

A glance through the past century of language teaching gives an interesting picture of various methodologies in the field of foreign language teaching. The sudden break-out of World War II heightened the need for proficient language speakers. The US Army provided fund for specific language courses that focused on aural-oral skills under the…

This study examines the impact of visa category on the English language skills of recent immigrants to Australia, focusing on the extent to which immigration selection criteria have an impact on language skills and noting the extent to which this impact is over and above that attributable to age, skills, and behavioral factors. The study followed…

The specification of objectives for language proficiency should take into account not only the terminal level of proficiency but the initial level as well. (Author/HS)