The keyword method is a mnemonic device limited to teaching vocabulary items. It involves association of a bizarre image with the meaning of the word and can take on the attractive qualities of a game. Results indicate that motivation and interest are stimulated and vocabulary skills improved. (AMH)

Describes a study that examines the effect of an adult-child discourse structure on the word combination produced by 17 children at the single-word utterance level. There was a significant difference between pretest and posttest multiword production for the experimental group of six children, but no difference for the control group. (SED)

Typical contemporary ways of forming word derivations and composite words in French are outlined and discussed, and the distinctions between different types of composites are noted. (MSE)

Describes how the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies in Taipei has used computers: 1) to select new vocabulary from texts for glossing; 2) to sort vocabulary for index listings; and 3) to print portions of textbooks. Problems with phonetic transcriptions and quality of print for Chinese characters are discussed. Samples are…

Reviews "The Nature of Vocabulary Acquisition" by Margaret G. McKeown and Mary E. Curtis. Focuses on three questions involving vocabulary acquisition: (1) What does it mean to know the meaning of a word?; (2) How does knowledge about word meanings develop?; and (3) What is the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and comprehension? (MM)

Observation of adult response to children's initial overextensions (use of the correct label, correction of error, and demonstration of object attributes) revealed that demonstrations were the most important factor in inducing toddlers to assign an object to its adult category. (Author/CB)

Urges educators to utilize metaphors in language instruction. Two experiments support this position. The results of the first experiment reveal that students learn lexical items more efficiently if presented in metaphors. The results of the second experiment indicate the usefulness of metaphors in developing students' critical thinking. (CFM)

The effect of copying foreign language vocabulary words and/or pronouncing them aloud while attempting to learn their English counterparts was investigated in three experiments. Results were interpreted as supporting the view that copying foreign language words assists in the formation of memory codes for their written forms. (Author/LMO)

Concludes that subjects' success in deriving the meanings of unfamiliar words was affected by prior experience with related words and by the strength of the surrounding sentence contexts, but that they did not combine the two information sources to yield higher vocabulary scores than obtained with either source by itself. (FL)

Research based suggestions are presented for effective vocabulary instruction strategies, including: learning new labels; learning concepts; and learning to learn meanings. Regardless of the method chosen, it is crucial that students: demonstrate generalization abilities; be given time to learn new material; periodically review what they learn;…

States that music can be an effective instructional method for enlivening the English as a second language classroom and for facilitating language learning. The approach can be used to address various learning styles. Examples and guidelines are provided. (Author/CH)

Reports on two studies that examined the natural process of word learning in children 4-11 years old. The children hear the new words in a conversation, a story, and paired with a definition. Results indicate that children at all ages could acquire a partial semantic representation from a single exposure. (SED)

A method for developing and expanding basic French vocabulary by using a basic word list and derivation techniques is examined, and research on this approach is presented. (MSE)

Discusses the audio and video-recorded longitudinal data from six infants with varying degrees of vision. The findings indicate that there are basic differences in early language, which appear to reflect differences in cognitive development. (SL)

Presents an overview of the role of translation in foreign language teaching and learning. Argues that translation is useful for: (1) practicing grammatical structures, (2) explaining vocabulary items, (3) testing at all levels, and (4) developing communicative competence. Also, translation is to be taught as a skill in its own right. (SED)