In a foreign language classroom, the students' job is that of mutual comprehension, among themselves and with the teacher, by not only attempting to understand but also understanding what is expected of them. It is this pattern of exchange that explains the slow rhythm and thematic progression of foreign language classes. (MSE)

Argues that the monolingual method in foreign language teaching is not the best for imparting the meaning of new words. A more flexible approach should be followed, so that valuable time may be saved for more difficult tasks. (IFS/WGA)

Presents a 417-item Chinese-English glossary of terms about language and class and school activities (called here "classroom metalanguage") to enable teachers of Chinese to use the target language more often in the classroom. An appendix, the varieties of definition format, and an English index are provided. (KM)

The goal of this panel was to develop the means to improve teachers' work on the basis of improved understanding of linguistic phenomena in school settings. The panel organized its research approaches and programs around ways in which effective communication in the classroom is different from everyday talk to which all children are enculturated,…

This paper focuses on an important aspect of second language acquisition, namely, the complex set of modifications in the rules governing the forms and functions of the new language that are required by specific sociocultural contexts. These adjustments in language, or shifts in register, play a crucial role in interpreting utterances for social…

This report presents the preliminary development and field-testing of an observational system designed specifically to describe teacher-student dyadic interaction in second language instructional settings. (Author)

"Language-related" refers mainly to teacher-guided communication, aimed at revealing the progress of language learning. "Information-related" communication, a two-way process, refers to all other speech intentions. Suggestions are given for stimulating spontaneous use of information-related materials. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

This paper describes how two four-year-old children who are becoming bilingual (Spanish and English) make requests in the classroom. Emerging patterns include: (1) a tendency to rely more heavily on requests for action and attention then requests for information and permission, (2) a tendency to make requests of peers more frequently than of…

Discusses the importance of all forms of nonverbal communication in the teaching of foreign languages, including body language, paralinguistics, cross cultural understanding, and visual aids in teaching. (AM)

The purpose of this study was to obtain quantitative nonevaluative data about verbal behavior used by instructor and students in the foreign language classroom. Two beginner and two intermediate German classes were tape-recorded for two weeks, then coded according to patterns. Frequencies of various verbal behavior patterns were analyzed. A…

Relates teaching experiences and problems encountered in trying to improve students' motivation with a variety of teaching methods and classroom techniques. Concludes that the social function of language provides the highest motivation for most, but advocates different approaches to teaching in response to different students' needs and learning…

This paper reviews the traditional relationship established between teaching and learning, in which teaching and teachers' concerns take focus. The maintenance of this hierarchical relationshp has resulted in a communication breakdown between educators and students, and a situation into which students have little or no input in terms of changing…

A collection of works concerning classroom research methodology, learner strategies and variables, teacher speech, teacher and learner feedback, and second language classroom communication has been compiled. It includes: "What Is Classroom Oriented Research?" (Herbert W. Seliger and Michael H. Long); "Inside the 'Black Box': Methodological Issues…

Though the need for a language or languages to describe teacher behavior has been recognized for some time, few systems of analysis exist. A conceptual framework and a set of terms have been developed to describe the messages students and teachers send and receive in second language classrooms. This system is called FOCUS (an acronym for Foci for…

The patterns of moves in one type of teaching setting is very fixed: the teacher sets the stage for the learning, then sets tasks or asks questions for others to respond to and then comments on the performances. The problem with this pattern in language classrooms is that language is used differently in non-teaching settings. If students are…