This study examines the use of strategies and knowledge sources in L2 lexical inferencing and their relationship with inferential success. Data consist of introspective and retrospective think-aloud protocols of 21 intermediate ESL learners who attempted to infer new word meanings from context. Analysis reveals that (a) overall, the rate of…

The intention of this paper is to explore the issue of the availability and suitability of language learning materials for third level Irish language degree programs. A general outline of resources currently available is given and some tentative ideas are put forward on how the resource gap may begin to be bridged using CALL. Two trialled methods…

This paper surveys some current developments in second language vocabulary assessment, with particular attention to the ways in which computer corpora can provide better quality information about the frequency of words and how they are used in specific contexts. The relative merits of different word lists are discussed, including the Academic Word…

It's tough to teach social studies and history to students who have trouble reading and understanding textbooks and other resources. But you can overcome those obstacles and motivate students to excel in social studies classes by using the concepts and research-based techniques in this guide. Renowned reading expert Donna Ogle teams up with two…

This article puts forward a project approach and a set of solutions to better prepare foreign students wishing to enter engineering schools in France. It focuses on how we train students to understand scientific presentations through intensive listening comprehension. Within this framework, it proposes a new educational ICT model that is original…

Dimensions of word meaning are examined, and a framework for describing and teaching Chinese words in the context of Chinese second language instruction is offered. It is argued that every word has limitations of usage that must be understood before it can be used appropriately. The limitations, or dimensions, include these: connotative (emotional…

Developed as part of the ABCs of Construction National Workplace Literacy Project, this instructional module teaches general, specialized, and technical terms encountered by persons employed in electrical and instrumentation occupations. Included in the module are the following: a discussion of the difference between general, specialized, and…

A discussion of cognates in second language teaching, particularly in English as a Second Language (ESL), looks at reasons and methods for teaching both true and false cognates ("friends"). A definition of cognates is offered, and a distinction is made between a cognate and a borrowed word, with examples from several languages.…

Designed to introduce students to pleasure reading while teaching and reinforcing reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and critical thinking skills, this book presents over 240 reproducible quizzes, activities, and project pages. The book is divided into 12 monthly units covering four favorite children's books each, all suitable for…

Based on a journalist's experience with students, observation of and conversations with hundreds of teachers and principals, and 22 years' experience as an employer in business communications, this keynote speech reports on the current crisis teachers face in developing the communication skills of their students for the future. The speech outlines…

A study investigated the relative effectiveness of French second language vocabulary learning when presented in two contexts: video, with attention to extralinguistic factors, or audio, with focus on linguistic factors alone. Four student groups (n=137 university students) were formed from existing classes: experimental with video treatment;…

While native and non-native English-speakers may approach scientific English differently, the same features cause difficulty for both groups. The difficulties generally occur more with grammar and the complex relationships between terms than with vocabularly, and may be classified in seven categories: interlocking definitions, technical…

Four classroom activities for second language learning are described. They include games and other exercises designed to enhance vocabulary development, review grammatical structures, encourage conversation on a variety of topics, and introduce cultural elements into instruction. All use materials that are readily available, and all are intended…

This article discusses language simplification as one aspect of a person's speech activity, and relates simplification to second language learning. Translation from language to language and translation within one language are processes through which a person, as decoder, decontextualizes a message form-sequence through perception of its…

This multi-curriculum study unit focuses on holidays, anniversaries, and special days. In addition to a calendar of monthly events, worksheets with games, puzzles and activities for lessons are included. The worksheets can be duplicated for students, placed in learning center folders, or used as examples for developing new worksheets. Some of the…