As part of a national policy to increase access to modern foreign/ second languages at the elementary level, voluntary generalist elementary teachers with some proficiency in relevant languages were provided intensive professional development in language teaching methodology with a view to heir implementing the policy in their schools. Presents…

Examines whether reading aloud in the classroom is an appropriate student-centered method of teaching reading. Describes how using this method to study Steinbeck's novel, "of Mice and Men," provides a structural, sociolinguistics, cultural, and stylistic knowledge through a combination of explanation and active engagement. (Author/VWL)

Argues that the study of second-language acquisition theory can be enhanced through time-series research designs. Within the context of investigating the effects of second-language instruction, four main reasons for using T-S design are identified. (95 references) (Author/CK)

Suggests second language acquisition research can help promote change in language teachers' methodological beliefs and practices. Drawing on diffusion of innovations research, an area of sociological inquiry, examines a theoretical framework for understanding change in language education, and discusses practical applications supporting…

Twelve subjects in university-level beginning Japanese were interviewed bi-monthly to determine how propositional negation emerged in their interlanguage. Findings show varied negation patterns were used over time and that an ordering effect was observed in the predicate environment in which negation is acquired first.(19 references) (Author/CK)

Examines the discursive structures and linguistic resources of the interactional environments influencing the development of individual communicative competence, with specific reference to providing speaking opportunities to students studying Spanish as a second language. Findings reveal that the ways in which topics are developed differ from how…

Examines whether strategy training orienting second language (L2) students' attention toward referential processes improves their comprehension of Japanese narrative. Findings revealed that experimental students comprehended the story at the macro level significantly better than control students, suggesting that the strategy training is beneficial…

Describes a book writing project implemented by one Israeli English-as-a-Foreign-Language teacher. Pupils decide what they want to write about and what format the project will take. The project incorporates many of the principles and practices outlined in the English curriculum. It requires extensive writing and reading, drafting, rewriting and…

Provides a reference base for teachers concerned with problems and issues of teaching foreign languages to Afro-American students in the United States. Cites 51 journal articles, unpublished documents, and doctoral dissertations that discuss rationales for foreign language study by Black students and describe teaching strategies and curriculum…

The traditional approach to grammar teaching provides learners with opportunities to produce specific grammatical structures. This article explores an alternative approach, one based on interpreting input. The rationale for the approach is discussed, as are the principles for designing interpretation tasks for grammar teaching. (Contains 35…

Emphasizes the need for students to develop their editing skills. This article suggests that teachers and students should concentrate on major error patterns, and teachers should personalize editing instruction. Attention should also be given to the most frequent and glaring errors. Students who followed this editing approach significantly reduced…

Describes an effort to teach French to boys with emotional and behavioral difficulties. The teaching used was based on lexical chunks of language rather than grammatical structures in order to create motivation and maintain interest in the short time available each week. The students greeted the lessons with enthusiasm and grew in self-esteem and…

Presents various approaches that have been used in multicultural education in England. Research on Gujeratis in Britain is used to illustrate the process of theory construction. (12 references) (LT)

Compares past methods of teaching languages with the current emphasis on teaching oral/aural skills. The use of technology is then discussed, in particular the language laboratory, the videotape recorder, the videodisk, and the computer. Suggestions are offered on how to adapt each for educational purposes. (23 references) (CFM)

This article illustrates some of the characteristics of the Chinese language from the perspective of how the language is learned by American students. The article also makes recommendations to help practitioners when teaching and designing reading and curricula for both beginning and advanced learners of Chinese. (SM)