This book explores the idea of "intercultural competence", which, despite its current popularity across various discourses, has remained a vague and oscillating concept. Interculture lacks a universal definition and "competence" is not only a cognitive construct but also includes psychological traits such as attitudes,…

Discusses changes in foreign language education. Revised version of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Chicago, Illinois, on November 27, 1971. (DS)

The primary task of teacher educators must be to offer foreign language teachers the means to better conceptualize and carry out their task and thus to regain confidence. The present situation is assessed; needs are analysed in terms of teachers, students, the culture and society; and conclusions are drawn. (AMH)

Reports on elements unique to foreign language teaching situations and outlines competencies expected for foreign language instructors such as competence in the language being taught, knowledge of its structure, knowledge of cultural traits and cultural activities, i.e. literature, understanding of the nature of language, second-language learning,…

An outline of the program of this 1966 conference at Wellesley College and transcripts of the speeches presented are included. A keynote address by Kenneth Mildenberger discusses language teacher preparation, research problems, and various teacher organizations. Three addresses consider prevention of a discontinum in elementary schools (Lincoln…

The guide is addressed to the colleagues of the foreign language assistant in the languages departments since the assistant's work, to a large extent, depends on a successful relationship with them. The foreign language assistant is defined as a native speaker of a foreign language, e.g. French, German, Spanish, Italian, who serves in a British…

One of ten studies commissioned to investigate research needs and to stimulate planning activities, this paper identifies and summarizes key issues within the area of second language teaching. The discussion is developed in three main sections: (1) a summary of research efforts from 1960-1980; (2) identification of research gaps; and (3) statement…

Many problems in English as a second language (ESL) programs arise because learners and teachers have subscribed to false statements and labels concerning cultural situations and teaching methods. The teaching approach should make provision for the differing learning styles of the pupils. A bilingual-bicultural program should be instituted in all…

A survey is presented of modern language teaching in Great Britain since the establishment of their Modern Language Association in 1893, with particular emphasis on developments during the past 20 years. The following topics are addressed: the influence of linguistic research on methodology, the situation in higher education and the schools,…

This report presents a survey of foreign language programs in Latin America. English as a second language is discussed as well as the teaching of other foreign languages. Remarks are made concerning language programs at various levels, teaching methods and materials, teacher preparation, status, and organizations, and acute problems. In the…

Papers are presented from a colloquium on the teaching of German in the United Kingdom. Following an introduction by C.V. James, the following papers on the schools are presented: "A General View" by M. Lodge; "A Regional View" by R. Sheppard and G. Turner; "As the Teacher-Trainer Sees Them" by A. Hornsey;…

This book reports on the Soviet Union's general, secondary, polytechnical schools which have been established recently to teach students to use one foreign language with fluency or near fluency. The author first discusses the long-range and immediate objectives of these special schools. Marxist-Leninist theory and its influence on contemporary…

This volume consists of the following articles: (1) "Introduction: Language Is the Link," by June K. Phillips; (2) "Foreign Language Study for a World in Transition," by Harold G. Shane and David L. Silvernail; (3) "Our Language Heritage: A Historical Perspective," by Shirley Brice Heath; (4) "Communication and Beyond," by Diane W. Birckbichler;…

This 2,380-item annotated bibliography is a selective list of books and articles related to foreign language pedagogy. The entries are grouped by topic, in the following individual sections: Festschriften and Other Analyzed Collections, General, Bilingualism, Linguistics, Culture, Teaching the Foreign Literature, Curricular Problems and…

These guidelines were developed to assist teacher training institutions in setting up competency-based programs, as mandated by New York State law, for the training of foreign language teachers. The guidelines define basic competencies in the following areas: practical command of the language, language analysis, culture, the teaching-learning…