Language program evaluation is a pragmatic mode of inquiry that illuminates the complex nature of language-related interventions of various kinds, the factors that foster or constrain them, and the consequences that ensue. Program evaluation enables a variety of evidence-based decisions and actions, from designing programs and implementing…

Recent currents in language learning research highlight the social and emergent aspects of second language (L2) development and recognize that learners need opportunities for interaction in meaningful contexts supported by explicit attention to language itself. These perspectives suggest new ways of conceptualizing the challenges faced by children…

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) sees discourse as a form of "social practice", in which language use is seen at the same time as socially influenced and influential. Another characteristic of CDA is that it is engaged and committed; it intervenes in social practice and attempts to reveal connections between language use, power, and ideology. The…

Examines the extent to which research findings from second language and immersion programs--concerning the efficacy of different instructional approaches--are transferable to the context of foreign language learning in British higher education. Data are drawn from a study of German learners exposed to focus on form tuition and focus on forms…

This study considers whether the outcomes for students who participated in an individualized instructional approach to language learning in intermediate college-level foreign language courses are different from the outcomes for students who participated in a lecture-recitation aproach. A two-treatment group quasi-experimental design was used. The…

The cognitive aspect of second language learning, specifically by immersion method, is discussed from a biological perspective. The approach taken is that of "connectionism," a recently-developed theoretical and experimental approach to human cognition. It is argued that while general cognitive functioning is unaffected by language immersion,…

A special journal issue on French language immersion programs in Canada consists of these articles: "The Immersion Phenomenon" (H. H. Stern); "For My Kids, It's French without Tears" (Judy Gibson); "A 'First' for a Toronto High School" (Claire Mian); "The Teachers, Key to the Success Story" (Andre Obadia);…

Second language acquisition research has led to a major emphasis on the need for learners to experience the target language (TL) in use if they themselves are to become users of the language. At the same time, there is discussion of the role of the first language (L 1) as a tool in the processing of language/culture experiences. Achieving optimal…

A 3-YEAR EXPERIMENT, BEGUN IN 1959 IN THE CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WAS DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NONSPECIALISTS IN FLES PROGRAMS. THE TWO CONTROL CLASSES IN THE EXPERIMENT WERE TAUGHT BY A SPECIALIST WHO MODELED, APPRAISED, AND REPRESENTED THE CULTURE OF THE LANGUAGE IN AN AUDIOLINGUALLY ORIENTED CLASSROOM SITUATION,…

A study was undertaken in order to provide current data and comprehensive information about Chinese language instruction in United States higher education. This report is based on the responses to a survey in 1979. In addition to the discussion of the survey responses, an examination of changes that have taken place since a previous report in 1969…

A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE RESEARCH ON FLES REVEALS THE NEED FOR GREATER STUDY IN MANY AREAS IN ORDER TO FULLY EVALUATE FLES PROGRAMS. SOME FINDINGS INDICATE THAT YOUNG CHILDREN CAN ACQUIRE PRONUNCIATION SKILLS MORE RAPIDLY AND EASILY THAN ADULTS, BUT IN OTHER AREAS OF LANGUAGE STUDY THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THE TIME SPENT IN STUDY IS A MORE…

Examines how sound spectrographs provide students learning a second language direct, visual feedback that is more useful than instructors' comments on articulation. Shows spectrographs of words pronounced by native and non-native English speakers. Argues this real-time acoustic analysis is less frustrating and more productive than traditional…

The marked growth in foreign language instruction during the 1957-1960 period is noted and is attributed to the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) of 1958, to the establishment of language laboratory facilities, to the wider use of audiovisual aids and teaching machines, and to the application of linguistic science to language teaching.…

Describes an overview of language research and courses in British institutions of higher learning. Information is provided on the view of language held there, the development of the functional/notional approach, demands on the language teaching profession resulting from the Council of Europe proposals, and immigration into Britain. (Author/AMH)

INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME ARE THE REPORTS ON CURRENT ISSUES IN LANGUAGE TEACHING DEVELOPED BY THE WORKING COMMITTEES OF THE 1962 NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ON THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES. DISCUSSIONS OF THE NATURE AND IMPLICATIONS OF LINGUISTICS, ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR LANGUAGE TEACHING, AND ITS APPLICATION TO GRAMMAR, DRILLS, TEXTBOOKS, AND LANGUAGE…