Modern Foreign Language (MFL) education has long been described as being 'in crisis' by virtue of a long decline in the numbers of students being entered for exams at age 16 and 18. Whilst this decline is generally attributed to policy, harsh grading and the rise of global English, this paper challenges this view by positioning the decline at the…

This article explores the effectiveness of a 416-hour professional programme intended to support 5010 Kazakhstani teachers in shifting to teaching their subjects through English. Document analysis describes the perceived intent of the course and how that is reflected in the course description and guidelines given to trainers. Document analysis is…

With anglophone countries now experiencing unprecedented levels of ethnic and linguistic diversity, it is considered increasingly important that young people learn to communicate in ways which are effective for the multilingual and intercultural contexts they live in, will work in and will travel to. One of the key vehicles for promoting and…

This article reports on in-depth interviews conducted with 12 teachers of modern languages in relation to how they dealt with the challenge of transition from primary to secondary school, with special reference to modern foreign languages. Findings suggest that only one of the 12 secondary schools was well placed to facilitate a smooth transition,…

This article addresses language learner strategy research in the context of second language learning and teaching in the UK. It arises from two sources: firstly, a personal background in research and writing about language learner strategy research in the context of modern foreign language learning and teaching in England and Wales; secondly, a…

The teaching of primary languages has been increasing steadily, in response to the future entitlement for all Key Stage 2 (KS2) pupils aged 7-11 to learn a foreign language by 2010. However, there remain concerns about progression both within KS2 and through to secondary school and about how learners' progress is assessed. This paper presents…

Vocabulary is one of the building blocks of language and is a necessary component of learners' development. This paper aims to describe the development of the L2 lexicon from the first year of learning French as a foreign language at school to the last year of undergraduate studies at university by setting out what learners know and how this…

British researchers investigated learning strategies employed by secondary students who were good language learners. Students completed language learning tasks and semistructured interviews to determine cognitive and metacognitive strategies, and teachers completed interviews about their ideas on language learning strategies. Results indicated…

In this article, the author recommends a "starter kit" for teaching grammar. This kit uses an A4 sheet that allows students to express themselves correctly, removing the problem of "censoring grammar" and replacing it with an "enabling grammar." Using their "starter kit", pupils will enjoy being able to…

Discusses the experiences of a Malaysian student studying Spanish as a Second Language in an all-female Irish secondary school, focusing on common difficulties encountered by Asian students of Romance languages. It is argued that the teaching of Romance languages often unfairly presupposes a knowledge of Latin or French on the part of learners.…

The World Wide Web offers language teachers a new source of authentic materials. This article situates the use of Web sites in language learning within concepts of resource-based learning, offering various activities that introduce the range of resources available to teachers and students of French, including a Web browser, a range of foreign…

Lists 22 activities that might serve as a useful starting point for those embarking on the teaching of literature in the target language for the first time. The key to the activities is to get the students to do the thinking. These activities are designed to build up to and complement conventional essay-writing. (CK)

Considers various theoretical and practical issues in language teaching that could help bridge the current methodological divide and proposes several reforms to the way that languages are currently taught in secondary schools and higher education. The paper emphasizes contemporary approaches to grammar, use of the first and second language in the…

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the applicability of task-based language teaching (TBLT) to state secondary foreign language classes. After discussion of method in general, TBLT is defined and its particularities described. Tasks are assessed as the basis for syllabus and then as the basis for method. In both cases, the proposals are…

Examined student attitudes toward a 10-week "taster" course in Hindi offered in a language awareness program at a Coventry, England, secondary school. It was found that the course stimulated enthusiasm for language learning and provided students with a greater understanding of Indian culture. (one references) (MDM)