This report contains experiment results obtained from a comparative study of two groups of seventh grade students learning German in Sweden. The main objectives of the investigation, which lasted one school year, are: (1) to investigate possible achievement differences in German between similar groups of students when one group is instructed…

Earlier reports from the GUME project (Goteborg, UndervisningsMetod i Engelska-Gothenburg/ Teaching/Methods/English) have shown that different methods of teaching English produce no significant differences in learning effects. In the present study, a direct continuation of earlier ones, modifications in design, teaching strategies, etc., were made…

IN 1964, THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA, CONDUCTED AN EXPERIMENT REPLACING 50 PERCENT OF STUDENT-TEACHER CONTACT WITH PRE-RECORDED TELEVISION LECTURES FOR TWO OF SIX SECTIONS OF GERMAN. ELEMENTS NORMALLY PRESENTED BY LECTURES WERE ISOLATED FROM CURRENT COURSE MATERIALS FOR TELEVISION PRESENTATION. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THE QUALITY OF…

An experimental course in college-level, introductory German, based on a modification of Fred S. Keller's work in individualized instruction, is described in this study. The establishment of specific time limits for completion of predetermined subject matter and the provision of tutorial services are essential variations from the classical…

This is a preliminary report on a series of small-scale language teaching experiments, aimed primarily at demonstrating that valid research into language teaching methods is possible. Small-scale refers not to the number of subjects involved, but to the scope of the experiment. Instead of looking at a method as a whole (as happens in large-scale…

This report examines one aspect of a broad experiment in language instruction designed and implemented at 10 participating colleges of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. Two types of language laboratories (recording and nonrecording) are examined to determine the effect of each upon the cultural-orientation scores of the students. The scores…

Research described in this report compares the relative achievement of three groups of secondary school students beginning language instruction in German, French, and Spanish using the electronic classroom, the record-playback laboratory, and the broadcast language laboratory with that of a control group. The second major area of research…

This three-month project utilized commercially prepared programed materials in French, German, and Spanish instruction for eighth graders selected for high language aptitude and above average ability. Interviews with participating students made after the completion of the project are the basis of the project evaluation which includes…

A 10-year educational experiment being conducted in England in which 18,000 elementary school students are taught French by non-specialist teachers is described. The methods used rely extensively on audiovisual materials. Discussion focuses on the following factors affecting the program: (1) sex of the student, (2) socioeconomic status, (3)…

This study conducted at the University of Kentucky in 1967-68 tests the theory of interaction between discrimination and pronunciation through a field test. After a brief review of previous research in phonemic discrimination as related to foreign language learning, the procedures and results of the test are presented. The text used was "Basic…

This anthology of selected articles aims to assist teachers of foreign languages develop effective individualized programs. Introductory remarks underscore the importance of changing teacher attitudes toward their relationship with their students as well as individualizing their instruction. The nature of individualized instruction is examined in…

The computer-assisted instruction project in review Spanish, Computer-Assisted Review Lessons on Syntax (CARLOS), initiated at Dartmouth College in 1967-68, is described here. Tables are provided showing the results of the experiment on the basis of aptitude and achievement tests, and the procedure for implementing CARLOS as well as its place in…

This interim report on an experimental program to increase student motivation to learn French at the Cultural Centre of Intensive French (CCIF) examines objectives, evaluation procedures, and results of the experiment. Part 1 contains sections on: (1) French achievement in Ottawa, Canada, grade 8 classes, (2) Pimsleur listening comprehension test,…

Communicative competence can be defined as the ability to function in a truly communicative setting, that is, in a dynamic exchange in which linguistic competence must adapt itself to the total informational input, both linguistic and paralinguistic, of one or more interlocutors. The research described in this book focuses on the development of…