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…

Grouping, a compromise arrangement between the traditional, structured classroom and complete individualization, frees students from teacher domination, supplies the social setting necessary for learning a language, and provides incentive for everyone to participate actively in the learning process. This paper describes a plan developed foor…

IN AN ATTEMPT TO CODIFY A PROFESSIONAL OVER-ALL POLICY STATEMENT, THE 1959 NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ON THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES ASKED ITS FOUR WORKING COMMITTEES TO DETERMINE, AS AN INTERIM GOAL, HOW TO MAKE MAXIMALLY EFFECTIVE THE 6-YEAR SEQUENCE OF STUDY FROM GRADE 9 THROUGH THE SECOND YEAR OF COLLEGE. THE COMMITTEE REPORTS COMPRISE THIS…

The status of English as a first foreign language is discussed as well as the reasons why the standard of English and the extent to which it is spoken in Syria do not match its official status. The use of English within the educational system is examined with particular reference to secondary and university levels. The manner of determination of…

This report describes four experiments in English for Special Purposes conducted by or involving the Centre de Recherches et d'Applications Pedagogiques en Langues. English for Special Purposes is discussed in relation to language skills, grammatical and functional progression, "autonomization" and individualization of language acquisition, and…

This illustrated booklet describes aspects of a college Spanish course in which students play an active role in learning and using the language. Methods and materials take account of real-life situations and situations significant to young people. The learning of Spanish through "fine arts" is discussed, that is, learning the language by using the…

This paper discusses two experiments with autonomous learning strategies for learners studying English as a second language in France, one for non-specialist adults and the other for university students. The first group consisted of 26 adults who were mostly professionals and had opted for autonomy not out of preference but for lack of any other…

It is argued that a functional-notional syllabus is practical and useful for second language instruction at the college level. It constitutes a natural progression from secondary school curricula that emphasize communication in that it uses the same basic organization and similar categories. However, it differs from them in that it pays particular…

Finnish university language centers are responsible for testing the foreign language proficiency of nearly all university students. It is important that students are assigned equitably to courses, including Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) courses. It is also important in LSP teaching for students' needs and opinions to be taken into account,…

A computer program is described that is a substack of the "Business German" HyperCard program previously developed by Paulsell and designed as a tutorial to be used with materials for a business German course on the third year college level. The program consists of six stacks, a central one providing graphics-based information on Germany…

A comparison of the end-of-study versus months-to-years later levels of language proficiency of 49 students of Japanese at Cornell University, from both intensive and nonintensive programs, is reported. In addition to academic records and performance on the Japanese Proficiency Test, data obtained from a comprehensive background questionnaire…

The curriculum, administration, staffing, facilities, and funding of a college English-as-a-Second-Language program for the wives of foreign students are described. The program is intended to reduce feelings of isolation and facilitate the adjustment of women whose student husbands are busy with the academic and social routines of the university.…

A college second language program compared the effectiveness of traditional second language instruction and a communicative approach in second year French, German, and Spanish courses. The communicative classes used only authentic materials, thematically organized and prepared for classroom use by the instructors. Similar topics were addressed in…

The University of Toledo's Spanish and Legal Assisting program provides two degree tracks, a twenty-five course program in the Community and Technical College and a coordinated bachelor's program in the College of Arts and Sciences. The shorter legal assisting program provides training allowing individuals to work under an attorney's supervision,…

A second language program developed at Wilson College (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania) with a federal grant uses the Rassias Method of theatrical, dramatic language saturation. In the first application of the program at the college, peer tutors (who would be assistant teachers in the subsequent immersion program) were trained in a three-day workshop.…