Reviews and comments on the syllabus and lower level examinations held in German used by the Institute of Linguists. Topics include target groups, task-based proficiency examinations, skills examined in L2, skill integration in L2, language integration, task briefs, a listening test, oral tests, and cultural awareness. (CK)

Seven fables were read to 14 average learners and 14 children with learning disabilities (ages 10-13), and 4 possible moral choices were presented (1 correct, 1 related, and 2 incorrect). Children with learning disabilities less often selected the correct moral; and when they did, they were less capable of explaining their choice. (Author/JDD)

Six children were visited in their homes every 2 weeks for 18 months from the age of 6 months to observe their developing comprehension and production of words. Results showed both similarities and individual differences in patterns of early comprehension. A close relationship was noted between early production and comprehension of words;…

Replicates R. P. Leow's 1993 study on the effects of simplification, type of linguistic item, and second/foreign language experience on learners' intake of linguistic items contained in written output. Results on the type of linguistic item underscore the need for research to consider seriously the role of modality while addressing cognitive…

This article discusses (1) assessment of discourse through listening and reading to evaluate comprehension problems; (2) developmental aspects of the relationship between listening and reading comprehension skills; (3) problems with selecting text passages and methods of testing comprehension; and (4) the development of a set of passages and a…

Assorted techniques are offered for introducing authentic German video into the intermediate language curriculum. Television commercials, weather forecasts, and news programs are described as tools for enhancing listening comprehension and expanding students' cultural awareness. Various preparatory activities and follow-up assignments are…

Research evidence suggests that the most important condition for language learning is hearing it spoken often and well. Central to a language program must be the cultivation of listening skills. Such training not only enhances the likelihood of success in learning a second language, but careful discrimination is essential for all learning. (26…

An experiment is described in which learners listened to two radio broadcasts in Spanish, then reported on their strategies, comprehension, learning, level of confidence, and affective response to the input. Elements that the learners had in common are cited, as well as some that seem idiosyncratic. (24 references) (Author/LB)

"Xiangsheng," a Chinese oral art form, are written and performed using idiomatic, colloquial Beijing speech and thus provide excellent material for studying spoken Chinese. Suggestions for preparing xiangsheng as teaching materials and teaching xiangsheng in the classroom are offered. Chinese character transcription, pinyin transcription,…

Suggests that the increase in older adults (as compared to young adults) of uses of ambiguous reference is not caused by age- or cohort-related differences in knowledge structures needed to determine coreference based on plausibility; availability or weighing of strategies for using anaphoric devices; or assumptions about the degree of specificity…

In a group of advanced student interpreters, recall of short stories after simultaneous interpretation from their first (L1) into their second (L2) language, and vice versa, was significantly worse than recall of similar stories after listening. Memory span for digits presented in L1 and L2 was significantly poorer following simultaneous…

This article reviews current knowledge in three areas: (1) characteristics of mild/moderate hearing loss; (2) the information-bearing aspects of speech; and (3) the relationship between the electroacoustic characteristics of hearing aids and the speech signal. Implications for selecting hearing aids are drawn. (Author/DB)

The speech perception performance of 10 congenitally deaf and 3 postlingually deafened children who received multichannel cochlear implants were compared at preimplant and 6-month intervals up to 2 years. The congenitally deaf children did not exhibit measurably improved performance until after 12 months or more of implant use, whereas…

Nonnative university students have difficulty coping with lectures given in English and need authentic and relevant material in listening and note-taking courses. One approach based on a transcription of a paleontology lecture is presented, suggested by linguistic analysis of 40 science lectures at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. (four…

Among 28 monolingual English-speaking Menominee Indian children, a history of otitis media was associated with significantly lower scores on measures of language comprehension and speech perception and production at ages 3-5, and on school standardized tests 2 years later. Contains 38 references. (SV)