Examines the effects of learning words grouped in semantic sets, using Japanese words paired with artificial words. A principal finding was that there was a main effect against learning semantically related words at the same time. The article concludes that presenting students with wordlists of new words in semantic clusters, rather than in…

Describes an attempt at an English grammar program for the first year of secondary schooling in Queensland, Australia linked to the grammatical features introduced in the students' second language programs. Outlines the stages of development, including examination of the second language texts and of English course books and deciding on a…

Describes a University of Ottawa program involving a French-language stream to train future physicians for the francophone minority population of Ontario. Francophone students conduct interviews in French in a communication skills laboratory while being observed by clinicians trained in observation and feedback techniques. Simulated patients play…

Presents strategies used in the International Engineering Program at the University of Rhode Island for incorporating technical German in first year classes. Outlines the language functions that can be developed in this way, gives concrete examples of the materials used, and provides specific suggestions for coordinating these materials with a…

Examines the effectiveness of asynchronous electronic discussion assignments in university-level language courses. An exploration of syllabus issues provides some insights. (Author/VWL)

Presents the results of an investigation into the value of using drama in a Brazilian university classroom. Drawing on research on the advantages of using drama in language learning, the importance of reflection for promoting meaningful learning, and the effectiveness of portfolios as a tool to promote reflection, presents a case study of the use…

Reports a study that investigated three concepts from the literature on task-based language teaching: planned/unplanned, closed/open, and required information exchange. After a workshop on these concepts, 33 inservice English-as-a-Second-Language teachers in the Philippines were asked to label and adapt activities according to the three concepts…

Reexamines the theoretical presuppositions of current pedagogical second-language approaches, and questions certain assumptions that have been generally accepted. It is shown that the lack of a theoretical base for current approaches has led to weaknesses in second-language acquisition philosophy, language curriculum structuring, and the role of…

Uses junk mail, newspaper advertisements, and other promotional material to overcome one teacher's lack of instructional material and to teach multilingual and multicultural teenagers and adults the basics of consumer advocacy and American civics. Notes that the students gained power through literacy that would not have been possible with…

Focuses on a real world technique used to teach language proficiency in the classroom. This method involves creating deliberate information and opinion gaps by administering pop quizzes and other communicative games and filling those gaps through cooperative action. Use of this technique generated heated discussion among students. (nine…

Examined the ability of Grade 8 intermediate and advanced learners of French to collaboratively complete a text reconstruction task, focusing on the students' discussion of the form of the message they were constructing. Results indicated that students gained awareness of gaps in their existing knowledge and links between the form, function, and…

Discusses problems commonly encountered by new foreign language teachers, as well as suggested solutions. Particular focus is on problems of classroom management, difficulties arising from use of the target language, shortcomings at the level of planning, and failure to relate to pupils appropriately and engage with their learning. (MDM)

Examines the drop-out factor in adult language classes. It is argued that when focusing on the learner as an individual, it is important to consider the social reality of the learning situation. The first task is to identify the motivational factors confronting teachers in the language classroom and to find ways to support the student's motivation…

This paper presents the educational method of role taking as a means of teaching communicative competence in a second language. The method calls for encouragement of student "creative work" and "coping with" the learning material. A sample lesson used in South Africa with students (ages 11-13) learning English as a Second…

Discusses the course content, methodology, architecture, role of the student, and development process of a unique videodisc self-study program to teach Russian speaking, reading, and listening skills to adults. Equivalent to a 120-hour, teacher-delivered course, the course is designed to produce speaking proficiency at the Foreign Service…