Data collected from both native and non-native speakers' linguistic performances in five request and seven apology situations revealed a systematic difference in length of utterance in speech acts by non-native speakers as compared to native speakers. Deviation from native norms of utterance length can cause pragmatic failure in several ways.…

The article presents the rationale behind development by the Council for Learning Disabilities of a set of competencies for teachers of learning disabled children. Competencies cover the areas of oral language, reading, written expression, spelling, mathematics, cognition, behavioral management, counseling/consulting, career/vocational education,…

Suggested classroom activities for French language instruction include: exercises focusing on problems of language transfer, interference, and overgeneralization; a lesson in problems of literal translation; an activity to develop guessing skills; situation-specific communication exercises; practice in asking questions; activities to develop…

Fifty successfully employed handicapped individuals were interviewed concerning their transition from school to work, strategies they used to aid transition, and barriers they encountered. Results illustrated the importance of knowledge of available services; high school education; mainstreaming; academic, job, and social skills preparation;…

Forty-nine adolescents were studied to investigate the initial and long-term efficacy of job-related social skills instruction for students with mild to moderate handicaps. The study determined that students could acquire the skills during classroom instruction and use the skills effectively in simulated situations that reflected actual work…

Learning a language is more than understanding grammar and being able to complete drills and exercises correctly. Other practice and activities which improve communications skills must be incorporated into language classrooms. (CB)

Provides a rationale for considering English for specific purposes in terms of "appropriate technology"; surveys the philosophical and intellectual underpinnings of the appropriate technology movement; defines key terms and clarifies them with language teaching examples; and briefly considers some objections to the notion of appropriate…

Presents a three-part approach for developing critical reading and critical thinking skills in the foreign language curriculum. This approach seeks to (1) establish a conducive environment for critical thought; (2) sharpen students' critical eye through extensive analytical reading; and (3) sensitize students to language and language use.…

A needs assessment survey of 381 learning disabled young adults, 948 service providers, and 212 advocates identified and ranked perceived problems in six areas: academic, health, vocational, daily living skills, social skills, personal adjustment. Detailed results are reported, including identification of vocational needs by service providers and…

Sketches the outlines of a life-span perspective on competence development, which focuses on beliefs about one's potential for producing desirable outcomes. The concern is with the nature and implications of individual differences in perceptions of personal agency and likely origins and development of the perceptions in the early years. (Author/BB)

Describes a study of the development of a new oral proficiency test which could replace the existing English as a Foreign Language Oral Matriculation test in Israel. The deficiencies of the existing Oral Matriculation test are specified, and the components of the experimental test are described. (Author/SED)

Describes a study which attempted to determine the successful strategies utilized by adolescent learners studying French. The learning strategies investigated include: (1) classroom behaviors, (2) individual study tactics, and (3) social interaction behaviors. These strategies are examined in relation to their significance on different language…

Discusses on-site monitoring, that is, the time spent by a vocational English as a second language instructor at the job site to oversee training in order to evaluate the quality of training received and to analyze the language and cultural needs of the trainees. (SED)

Identifies present and future critical issues in group work in the fields of education and human services. Discusses professionalism, research foundations, social group work, counselor training, the family as a social support, group effectiveness, change agents, social change, and meeting society's needs. (JAC)

Summarizes the central assumptions of the communicative language teaching model and the potential difficulties that regular classroom teachers may face in implementing it. Seven criteria for use in organizing communicative classrooms are presented, and applications of these criteria to decisions about organizing classroom interaction and the…