The theme of this collection of papers focuses on emerging patterns of interest within the language teaching profession. The papers discuss (1) trends in language teaching, (2) FLES redefined, (3) educational objectives, (4) personal experiences of a language teacher, (5) public relations success stories, (6) the less-able student of foreign…

Discussion of the nature of student-teacher contracts pertaining to academic work to be performed by the student and evaluated by the teacher covers a wide range of related issues in this article. The nature of contracts, evaluation procedures, instructional materials, community attitudes, and the individualization of instruction are commented on…

This report of an educational experiment compares the methods and evaluates the results of two instructional approaches to language learning. The "community learning" method, in which emotional factors are believed crucial in the development of the instructional method, and a traditional approach are compared as to their effectiveness in the areas…

The design for an instructional program whose objective is the acquisition of English must be viewed within wide parameters. The dimensions discussed are those that must be accounted for by a designer of materials appropriate for particular learners. These parameters are discussed to make teachers aware of what to look for and what kinds of…

Bilingual education programs for Mexican-American preschool and elementary grade pupils almost invariably include instruction in English as a second language (ESL). While usual ESL programs for young Spanish-speaking children emphasize pronunciation drill (minimal-pair drills: pit-bit, choose-shoes), an alternative approach deemphasizes…

This address examines the personal experiences and attitudes of a language teacher during the 1960's, exploring the then commonly held notions of "creativity" with a view toward stimulating professional reappraisal of the term and its pedagogical implications. The author suggests that the notion of the teacher "guiding creativity" must yield to a…

This conference report contains a keynote address by Dr. Howard Altman, entitled "Individualizing Foreign Language Instruction: Theoretical and Practical Considerations," and five reports of the conference group sessions. Reports include: (1) "Techniques for Implementing Individualized Instruction," (2) "Performance Objectives," (3) "Developing…

This study is designed to compare "traditional" and "immersion" methods of language instruction to determine whether the latter is a viable alternative in four-year, secondary-school language programs. Both methods are evaluated on the basis of student achievement in comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. The hypothesis…

This paper describes a teaching method, presently in the experimental stage, that advocates the use of a programed instruction model in the language laboratory, with students working in homogeneous groups of three. The author describes the technical construction and operation of the language laboratory which allows three students to work together…

The quinmester course intended for pupils speaking English as a second language aims to teach students to ask and answer questions and discuss, orally and in written form, basic concepts in social studies such as transportation, map reading, family, friends, school, home, neighborhood, and community in an attempt to help them function effectively…

Observing that the use of the language laboratory has declined during recent years, the author proceeds to explore ways in which interest in language study may be revived and how foreign language instruction may be made more relevant. Discussion of the cognitive-code learning theory and of individualized instruction suggests the use of the…

Much attention has been given to the imbalance between thinking and feelings in the educative process. Human teaching calls for merging the cognitive and affective processes into one confluent learning experience. Language learning is viewed primarily as a means for affective reflective communication. Personal growth merges with language…

The "Language from Within" program is a collation of Gestalt strategies based on the principles of confluent education and adapted for use in the foreign language classroom. The underlying principles of confluent education are: awareness of feelings as the source of personal meaning (subject matter is learned only when the student sees…

These materials are part of a one-week experimental program to bring together the language and the TESL components of the Peace Corps Training Program for Ethiopia. The program is based on the relationship between language teaching and language learning, that is, between the methods classes in the teaching of English as a second language, and the…

The language teacher automatically teaches culture when he teaches language, but there are many ways in which the Italian teacher can specifically bring culture to the Italian classroom. Through use of vocabulary certain differences in culture can be made clear to students. Dialogues should be used to reveal major areas of contrast and similarity…