A consensus has emerged on many issues in communicative language teaching, but one question that needs attention is the question of what ought to constitute the appropriate starting point in the design and implementation of a second language program. Two positions to consider are the following: first, the development of communicative methodology,…

A guide to the development of Spanish-language curricula for Spanish-speaking secondary students is intended to help teachers and administrators design programs building on students' existing language strengths. The recommended instructional approach is functional-notional, and local districts are encouraged to use it to adapt their textbooks and…

This work is an attempt to explain the rationale and thinking that contributes to the "communication strategy" approach and to illustrate the practical applications of its ideas to second language teaching. It also proposes an approach to teaching based on two major goals: first, to incorporate the better features of audiolingual methods into a…

The Integrated Language Skills course offered by the University of Hong Kong is offered to students who have had exposure to English in the classroom but who need additional work to develop skills in using that language. The course aims at providing opportunities for students to familiarize themselves with university activities which are then…

Discusses issues in functional approaches to language teaching and describes two experiments on the social factors involved in the language functions of requesting, thanking, greeting, and taking leave. Considers what the data from the experiments mean for second-language learning and teaching in terms of syllabus design and teaching techniques.…

Excerpts from a discussion session involving six panelists and 150 teachers of English in non-English-speaking countries range from the revolution in the communicative approach to the extent to which the mother tongue is taken into account, translation, grammatical correctness, teaching large classes, and textbook development. (MSE)

An Italian program integrating second language instruction into the elementary school curriculum is described. The program is seen as a forward-looking effort but lacking in important cultural content. Discrepancies between objectives and classroom reality are discussed. (MSE)

An approach to second language teaching is proposed that integrates elements of the grammatical and functional-notional syllabus designs. The resulting combination is a communicative framework for functional practice in language learning and teaching. The current status of language teaching is examined in the context of these two instructional…

Texas' Functional Approach Categories and Technique Strategies (FACTS) Language Arts Model was designed to assist teachers of limited-English-proficient (LEP) children in effective instruction of communication skills. To do this, children (1) must be taught that language is an adaptable instrument that helps them fulfill their needs, and (2) must…

Describes principles for designing a proficiency-based course to prepare students for the ACTFL/ETS Advanced Plus/Superior level according to Interagency Language Roundtable guidelines. Proposes ways to combine grammatical and "functional/notional" syllabuses with a proficiency approach. Examines the implications of these principles for…

In an effort to help teachers implement the communicative approach in the classroom, the approach is defined; its implications are outlined; and some strategies for rendering classroom practice more communicative are presented. A university course-planning model is used to help teachers plan activities within a communicative framework. (MSE)

Discusses positive and negative aspects of teaching language use--the Communicative Approach. While the Communicative Approach is learner-centered and develops the students' communicative competence, the design and current tactics of this methodology are criticized as being "decontextualized" and "abstracted." (SL)

A notional syllabus places the greatest emphasis on the use of the language, unlike most foreign language syllabuses, which emphasize its structural form. Each entry defines a type of purposeful communication. When the student has mastered the syllabus, he has thus acquired a communicative competence. (CFM)

Addresses problems that arise in applying functional/notional syllabus design to general-purpose academic courses. Proposes steps that attempt to solve three major problems: (1) how to link functional and linguistic categories; (2) on what basis to select and sequence materials; and (3) how to develop functional ability in all four skills.…

An experiment in teaching French in Sweden was based on a version of a Council of Europe proposal for a core language curriculum consisting of basic needs for language functions, notions, topics, vocabulary, and grammar. The model targets a variety of learning and age levels, but the Swedish program concerned secondary level teaching of French as…