Responds to criticisms raised in another article in this issue concerning a study of incidental word learning among second-language learners viewing captioned television. Suggests that the criticisms fail to "see the forest for the trees." Responds to specific methodological criticisms. (RS)

Considers how metaphor's central position in the structure of language, its contribution to concept development, and its cognitive functions endow it with properties uniquely combined to assist in the learning of grammar and vocabulary. Frames of reference based on metaphor are well placed to simplify instruction and encourage learner…

Four classroom activities for French language instruction are described, including: an exercise in dramatics; word play using poetry and music; study of the relationship between gestures and speech, using comic strips; and the writing of a short story based on real train schedules and destinations. (MSE)

Provides three vocabulary strategies that provide practical activities to improve the content area vocabulary and reading skills of students. Offers these strategies as an integrative means for implementation of content material to teach students essential vocabulary. (MG)

Classroom French language learning exercises using travel brochures and guides are outlined and illustrated. The variety of materials available is discussed, and specific basic procedures and supplemental activities are described. Exercises focus on development of vocabulary relating to movement, expressions of comparison and evaluation, and…

Administered the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory to 25 bilingual (English/Spanish) and 35 monolingual children who were furnishing data for longitudinal study. Assessment of the degree of overlap between bilingual children's lexical development in their two languages showed that they developed early vocabulary at the same rate as…

Ten preschool subjects exhibiting more disfluencies than 50 other subjects with language disorders were found to be older and score higher on vocabulary. Findings suggest some children with language disorders are at risk for fluency breakdown because of dysynchronies in development of lexical and syntactic aspects of language or as a result of…

Argues that captioned video is an innovative and promising approach for improving students' reading comprehension, vocabulary, and motivation. Describes its use in a fourth-grade classroom, and makes suggestions for getting started. (SR)

Shares three teachers' experiences writing their own computer-assisted instructional materials to improve the vocabulary development portion of a course designed to help at-risk first-year college students develop vocabulary and contextual analysis skills. Discusses theoretical foundation, program design, development and implementation of the…

In the Dictagloss method, a short text is read at normal speed to a class of learners who jot down familiar words as they listen. Students then gather in small groups to review and reconstruct a version of the text and then compare their version with that of other groups. Implications for creativity and memory are discussed. (three references) (LB)

Reviews research concerning the preteaching of content area vocabulary. Questions the value of solely preteaching content terms and suggests teaching both general and content vocabulary in ways that aid students in becoming independent word learners. (MG)

Describes an activity/assignment involving composition and cooperative learning which is designed to help students learn to attend to context clues. (SR)

In an activity for the French classroom, teams of four student pairs read and summarize newspaper and magazine articles, extract a vocabulary list, prepare content questions, and become experts on portions of the text for a small-group discussion game. Changing partners and solo presentation are important features of the exercise. (MSE)

Discusses ways in which various aspects of language or words may be addressed by using children's literature. Such use generates an interest in language and words that carries over into children's reading, writing, listening, and speaking. (BB)

The place of literature in the foreign language classroom is described, and the effectiveness of the short story is noted. Suggestions are offered regarding selection criteria, classroom activities, oral activities, role play, oral comprehension, and a variety of written exercises including sequencing and writing dialog. (Contains seven…