Selected language acquisition research findings are examined in the light of the language teacher's daily needs. Research results are reported that provide an empirical basis for selecting and grading materials, determining skills to be taught and their order of presentation, deciding on classroom presentation and procedures, and formulating…

Summarizes a study of advanced ESL university students from eight first-language backgrounds and discusses the proficiency differences found between several groups in processing two types of information patterns in written English. Suggests possible variables in cognitive strategies and skills related to the students' different cultural/linguistic…

Suggests and gives examples of how a few advanced skills and concepts are related to successful reading and writing and can be introduced in low-level ESL classes. Examples include generality-specificity distinction, relevance-irrelevance distinction, underlining and making notes, paraphrasing, and summarizing. This conceptually integrated…

Ethnographic examination of the English-dominant culture in the United States and how Hispanics are affected. Through several vignettes, reveals that the civil rights of Hispanics are violated because of cultural differences. (DA)

Explains that reading English among Scientists is almost universal, however, there are enormous problems with spoken English. Advocates the use of Esperanto as a viable alternative, and as a language requirement for graduate work. (GA)

Presents study conducted to determine whether sentence combining approach would increase rate of written syntactic development of college students of French, German, and Spanish. Results show it is effective for teaching some aspects of writing to intermediate foreign language students. (BK)

Describes a study designed to examine native speakers' reactions to errors contained in compositions written by advanced Spanish students, as a measure of error seriousness and a guide for selective correction. Suggests that errors interfering with comprehension should be eliminated first, followed by those that elicit negative reactions from…

Describes a Trinity College (Dublin) training program for language teachers based on a foreign language learning experience, in this case attendance at a 12-week course in beginning Russian. Discusses course design and trainees' course evaluations, drawing from comments contained in their class journals and final reports. (MES)

A student survey indicating interest in second language learning is discussed, as well as the success of an "assisted self-taught" approach to uncommonly taught languages at the University of Aston, Birmingham. (AM)

Discusses problems experienced by non-Anglo-Saxon university students in assimilating scientific and technical materials written in English. Argues that instruction imparted in a foreign language impoverishes the learner's language, affecting negatively his ability to function in the native environment. Supports the use of translations against…

Occidental College offers international programs and foreign affairs courses. The emphasis on international studies extends to the core curriculum with three major areas that deal with the history, politics, and culture of other countries. Undergraduates are required to take almost two years of a foreign language. (MLW)

Discusses the speech act approach and its usefulness in conveying the meaning of the imperative both for the native speaker and for the purpose of language acquisition. Analyses the infinitival construction of German-language advertising slogans and describes its potential for conveying a variety of messages. (Author/MES)

Discusses research supporting the contention that listening fluency should be taught first and oral response delayed because languaqe acquisition takes place without any overt performance. Includes extensive bibliographic references. (PMJ)

New York City has been increasing its high school bilingual program aimed at easing the transition faced by non-English speakers. Immigrants are given special courses in English, while at the same time they take the regular content-area courses in their native language. (LRA)

Describes a course that uses translation of literary French into English to heighten students' awareness of the two languages and of literary composition. (AM)