Investigated the second-language acquisition of English noun phrases in discourse, examining the effect of discourse markedness and structural markedness on the development of the noun phrase. It was found that second language learners distinguish between discourse contexts, acquiring more targetlike forms in the least marked context and least…

Arguments raised against the Critical Period Hypothesis of second language learning are refuted. It is suggested both that sufficient research evidence exists to support the hypothesis and that the hypothesis was not represented accurately or contradicted convincingly in the criticisms. (Author/MSE)

Describes the Listening Comprehension Exercise Network, a system that allows for the sharing of listening exercises in Russian via computer networks. The network, which could be emulated in other languages, alleviates the problem of time spent on developing essentially "throw-away" exercises. (21 references) (Author/CB)

Reviews a volume of descriptive and evaluative information on 47 commercially available English language proficiency tests used in North America, Great Britain, and Australia. The book includes discussions of uses and misuses of tests, and overviews of English as second language testing in North America and Great Britain. (SV)

Responds to criticism against the use of the oral proficiency interview for foreign language testing through examination of the concept of logic and language testing, components of speaking ability, and the limits of linguistic theory. (20 references) (CB)

The economic and political implications of a linguistically incompetent America are far-reaching and frightening. While other nations attain direct access to U.S. information through the public media, Americans need translators and interpreters. Self-interest is also a worthy incentive for choosing and studying foreign languages. Includes 19…

Reports on an international project's progress in revising the English Language Testing Service test, jointly produced and administered by the British Council and the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate. The rationale for the project's using new approaches to content validation of the revised test is explored. (Author/CB)

The results of a behavioral anchoring analysis of student performance on three English as a second language reading comprehension tests indicated that, for each of three proficiency levels, the higher ability students could comprehend questions with implicit information sources. All students showed competence with linguistic structures that…

Explores the problems and procedures of producing test norms for bilingual populations. The difficulty encountered in defining subpopulations for separate test norm production and empirical classification is considered, and four practical solutions are detailed: school classification, person classification, test score classification, and language…

Reports on the formation of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) summarizes the background to ALTE's formation, and discusses its objectives: to establish common levels of proficiency; to establish common standards for all stages of the testing process; and to collaborate on joint projects and in the exchange of ideas. (CK)

Focuses on the need to develop a standard of language qualifications to facilitate the movement of workers within the European Union and on the establishment of a framework with five language levels relating to vocational qualifications by LangCred. Certificates and examinations assigned to the first three levels are stored in a database system.…

This study examined initial preferences for verb interpretation by 15 5-year-old children with specific language impairment, 15 language-matched children, and 15 age-matched children. Children indicated preferred interpretations of novel verbs from videotapes of motion and change-of-state activity scenes. Findings suggested that children's verb…

Whether a deaf child not exposed to conventional language would incorporate a distinction between nouns and verbs into his self-styled communication system (through gestures) was studied. The distinction between verbs and nouns appeared in the child's communication system, suggesting that it is fundamental to human language. (SLD)

This study investigated the feasibility of C-testing as a valid measure of language proficiency, which avoids the problems with cloze testing with native and non-native speakers of English. Results refute the claims on C-testing. (JL)

This paper attempts to integrate several different theories of the second-language learning process into a general theory of the human learners. Includes references. (JL)