Criticizes the tendency of language teachers to rely on the content and methods of the text and argues that teachers must themselves decide on the approaches appropriate to the objectives they have established. The audio-lingual method is examined critically, and the cognitive-code learning approach is briefly described. (KM)

DESPITE THE GENERAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE IDEA THAT LINGUISTIC BEHAVIOR AND COMMUNICATION ARE FIRST OF ALL SPOKEN, LANGUAGES ARE NOT ALWAYS TAUGHT ON THAT BASIS, AND CONFUSION STILL EXISTS ABOUT THE NATURE OF SPEECH AND WRITING. THE GRAMMAR-TRANSLATION METHOD WAS THE BASIC SYSTEM UNTIL WORLD WAR II, WHEN IT BECAME NECESSARY TO TRAIN MANY PEOPLE TO…

This paper first addresses the issue of the contradictory nature of informed opinion and advice in the foreign language field today. It goes on to consider such controversial topics as the introduction of the written symbol, teaching the language versus teaching about it, teaching culture, the usefulness of FLES, and individualization. The…

The author suggests that educators must (1) realistically assess the ways in which language study can and cannot contribute significantly to the student's overall educational experience and devise new methods which consciously stress goals attainable within the available time period, (2) provide more than one kind of introductory course, and (3)…

Presents an overview of the language teaching situation in Canada's universities, and makes suggestions for its improvement. (AM)

THE AMBIGUITY AND AMBIVALENCE THAT CHARACTERIZE ALL DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODOLOGY ARE DERIVED FROM THE "DOUBLE NATURE" OF THE SUBJECT. TO COMPLICATE THE SITUATION FURTHER, THERE IS NO CERTAINTY THAT EITHER THE "CONDITIONED" OR "CONCEPTUAL" MODES OF LANGUAGE LEARNING REALLY COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER. THE…

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES INHERENT IN CURRENT METHODS OF MODERN LANGUAGE TEACHING ARE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PEDAGOGY DERIVED FROM THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF LANGUAGE. THE IMPACT OF PHILOGICAL AND LINGUISTIC STUDIES OF "EXOTIC LANGUAGES" ON TRADITIONAL GRAMMATICAL CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE…

Principles of the "St. Cloud" audiovisual language instruction methodology based on "Le Francais fondamental" are presented in this guide for teachers. The material concentrates on course content, methodology, and application--including criteria for selection and gradation of course content, a description of the audiovisual and written language…

This comprehensive booklet treats foreign language instruction development, current practices, and observable trends. Sections on the changing role of foreign language instruction and on methodology are emphasized. Social pressures, international events, and changing educational attitudes since the turn of the century are discussed. Methods used…

Presented in this book for prospective and practicing foreign language teachers is an historical review of language teaching and teaching techniques--some new, some traditional. Presentation and method in relation to scholastic level and pupil interest are discussed, as well as language teaching in the elementary school, the use of audio-visual…

In this article the influence of linguistic science on language teaching is traced from the mid-nineteenth century through the present. The earlier concepts of universal logical grammar, formal discipline, and transfer of training are explained. Linguistic development is charted through behaviorism and formal analysis to the combination of…

DESIGNED TO UPDATE THE CONTEMPORARY LANGUAGE TEACHER'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE INNOVATIONS IN HIS FIELD, THIS BOOK INTRODUCES SOME OF THE ESSENTIAL MAJOR AREAS OF WHICH HE SHOULD HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING TO APPROACH HIS WORK SCIENTIFICALLY. PART ONE, DEALING IN GENERAL TERMS WITH LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGE LEARNING, SETS THE TONE OF THE BOOK WITH DISCUSSIONS OF…

DESIGNED FOR BOTH THE CLASSROOM TEACHER AND THE LANGUAGE SPECIALIST, THIS BOOK SETS FORTH THE SIGNIFICANCE, INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND RESOURCES, BACKGROUNDS, AND SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF FLES. SPECIFIC CHAPTERS DEAL IN DETAIL WITH AUDIOLINGUAL METHODS, METHODS AND RESOURCES FOR CULTURAL STUDY AND FOR MUSIC AND GAMES, AUDIOVISUAL MEDIA, AND UNIT…

The A-LM German materials are analyzed in terms of their weakness and positive features, and suggestions for their use and adaptation are presented. It is argued that: the basic dialogue is almost unusable; the structure drills are repetitive and often not challenging; the taped arrangement of the listening exercises is awkward; the dialogue…