Demonstrates how multimedia tools can be combined with an enunciation based analysis of the French verb system in order to develop innovative ways of teaching the imparfait and passe compose. (Author/VWL)

Examines and tests the hypothesis that left-branching (LB) sentences are judged to be more formal than right-branching (RB), and that center-branching (CB) sentences would behave like LB. Two studies involving university students are described in which LB, RB, and CB sentence structure formality were judged. (17 references) (GLR)

Argues that it is possible for stories to both entertain the reader and teach reading techniques. Suggests that the apprentice approach to reading instruction, using good stories and with judicious intervention by teachers, can be rigorous. (MG)

The communication skills of 8 children (ages 4 to 9) with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FAS) were assessed and compared with non-FAS children matched for ethnic background, living situation, and nonverbal cognitive ability. FAS children showed abnormalities of the speech mechanism and inconsistent articulation, comprehension, and grammatical abilities.…

Discusses the role of the infinitive in Russian verbal morphology, and points out the advantage of the single-stem system of analyzing and presenting Russian verbs. (32 references) (Author/OD)

Describes the process by which an authentic document may be integrated into first- and second-year college and high school classes to form a cultural component of foreign language study. A discussion is presented on how linguistic and cultural information can be extracted from these documents to form the grammatical level of students. (Author/VWL)

Argues against the use of an alternative model of Language Awareness (LAw), which rejects Transformational Grammar-based applications of language study in favor of a semiotics-based approach, and presents examples of teaching English to native Bengali speakers to support the use of the more traditional LAw. (CB)

Examines the acquisition of sex-neutral uses of masculine terms by English and Spanish speaking children and suggests that knowledge of the acquisition sex-neutral uses of gender markers may lead to insight into children's approaches to word meaning. The use of sex-neutral masculine terms and their impact on the status of women is also discussed.…

Investigated how prosodic cues in motherese assisted infants' language acquisition. Infants oriented longer to speech interrupted at clausal boundaries than to matched speech interrupted at within-clause locations. The prosodic qualities of motherese provided infants with cues to units of speech that corresponded to grammatical units of language.…

Gives an autobiographical account of an English teacher-turned-administrator, who determined to teach writing by writing, at first in his own classroom and later promoting its use system-wide. Illustrates the strong influence an administrator can have on teaching practice and curriculum. (SR)

Four classroom activities are described: (1) one for stimulating beginning students' interest in finding evidence of French language and culture in their own environment; (2) a card game for learning grammar; (3) a letter-writing exercise; and (4) a game using lipograms in the creation of a fictional community. (MSE)

Describes four techniques for using a video camera to generate higher levels of student interest, involvement, and productivity in beginning foreign language courses. The techniques include spontaneous discussion of video images, enhancement of students' use of interrogative pronouns and phrases, grammar instruction, and student-produced skits.…

A discussion of the perception and use of tense in Moroccan Arabic proposes that the language expresses verb aspect much more readily than tense. Implications for teaching Moroccan Arabic as a second language are discussed, and an analysis of the system of tense and aspect in the language is presented. (MSE)

To test whether the critical language learning period applies to second languages, the English proficiency was studied of 46 Asians varying in age at which they moved to America. Results on a grammaticality judgment task support the hypothesis; early arrivals were significantly superior to later arrivals in English proficiency. (TJH)

Suggests creative homework assignments to teach three Spanish grammatical structures (preterite and imperfect, future, and subjunctive) and theme oriented vocabulary (food, fashion, home furnishing, and nature). Suggested homework activities include poetry and letter writing, free association, and scavenger hunts. (LMO)