Proposes a system of classifying and forming words in French based on several major word "families" grouped according to their grammatical bases and the types of derivations emerging from them as an effective approach to vocabulary development. (MSE)

While there are many problems to be resolved concerning the substance of instruction within a communicative approach the manner of teaching must also be considered, including methodology, the linguistic aspect (vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation), norms, and the use of computers. (MSE)

Eleven brief items providing a range of activities and exercises to help students master the elements of coherence in text and to foster both comprehension and production are presented. (MSE)

Key tailors, desk organizers; text-oriented database programs, outlining programs, thesauruses, spelling checkers, and punctuation and style checkers are described. The functions these programs perform will probably become more common as application programs absorb the functions into their own operation. (Author/MLW)

Suggests the use of "Error Cards"--cards which contain instruction regarding the deliberate making of a particular language error--as a good means of peer teaching practice during the training of English as a foreign language teachers. In addition, suggestions are made for the extension of this technique beyond the given example. (SL)

Discusses the differences between the English native and nonnative speaker's creation and use of nominal compounds. A comparison between English speakers and Japanese native speakers indicates that not only must nonnative speakers acquire rules in order to effectively compound words in English, but that rules must indeed exist, indicating that…

Describes a computer-assisted instruction project used for students of German. Because the program has features built in which gives it versatility, it is beneficial to several levels of instruction in the language department and it also involves more than one faculty member in using the computer. (SL)

Reports on a project in communicative computer-assisted instruction for students of German, which incorporates elements of surprise and variety into the sessions with the computer. Using a notional format, word games are used in relevant ways, creating a similarity to real conversation. This, in turn, gives the students a normal range of…

Discusses two problems encountered when a class is conducted entirely in the target language and is accompanied by a target language text. These are the students' difficulties in comprehending grammatical rules and teachers' difficulties in teaching grammatical concepts that do not exist in English. Suggests judicious use of English. (SED)

Describes a sequence of four studies that explored how people composed sentences while writing expository essays. Among the findings were that the sentence composition process was often guided by a writing plan, and the most frequent changes accomplished by revision of parts were word choice, aspect of meaning, and grammatical structure. (HOD)

Black children's language abilities should not be judged by their schoolyard grammar. Use of Standard English "s" endings in spontaneous speech is not as good a predictor of school language achievements as is the use of those endings in reading and school grammatical or comprehension tests. (Author/DWH)

Two studies examined the effect of making the correct answer of a multiple choice test item grammatically consistent with the item. American College Testing Assessment experimental items were constructed to investigate grammatical compliance to investigate grammatical compliance for plural-singular and vowel-consonant agreement. Results suggest…

Discusses the current approaches to interlanguage syntax, focusing on the goal of finding consistency and pattern in syntactic variation. Some themes contributing to descriptive approaches include: the transition from morphosyntax acquisition studies to those of more complex syntax, the emergence of syntax from discourse, explicitness, and the…

Describes an experimental course at Allegheny College in computer-generated poetry, which required students to deal simultaneously with grammar and rhetoric, poetics, the computer and BASIC, logic and artificial intelligence in order to create programs that would generate poetry. Examples of verses produced by course participants are included.…

Suggests that effects of microcomputers on foreign language learning and education depends to a large extent on social and educational contexts within which they are imbedded. It is maintained that teachers themselves are the ultimate agents of educational improvement and change and thus must be continually provided with information and resources…