Examines the attempted acquisition of Welsh by English speakers in Wales in relation to the native association of Welsh-language speech with Welsh cultural identity. The learners' status as verbal performers is investigated together with the psychological impact of that status and the ambiguity of the learners' identity on the learning process.…

Argues that a major cause of the inconsistent use of the past tense even by very advanced learners of English as a second language is an inadequate understanding of its actual meaning and discourse function. Suggestions are offered for teaching and practicing this tense in context. (SED)

Describes a project that tested two computer-assisted language lessons, one designed to emulate drill and practice, and the other to utilize concepts of clarifying educational environments, microworlds, games, and autotelic environments. The project suggests that allowing students control over their learning and some choice in procedures enhances…

A total of 81 percent of all German students surveyed mentioned broadening of experience and horizons to be the most important gain after a study abroad. Improvement of knowledge of foreign languages and professional improvement were each named by only nine percent of the students as the greatest gain. (RM)

Examines how six "sway" students, that is, students who have learned how to interact verbally with the teacher in a foreign language, affected the organization of interaction and language development in a high school Spanish class. The effect was that they allowed the teacher to progress effectively through the lesson. (Author/SED)

Proposes an alternate approach to language learning for the American classroom based on notions of learner independence and community involvement. This method, in-situ exploration, utilizes native-speaking mentors and a five-step "Learning Cycle." (Author/SED)

Discusses methods by which a teacher of English as a second language in a foreign country can teach himself/herself the language of that country. Such methods include keeping a diary, studying grammar, using the mass media, and engaging native speakers in conversation whenever possible. (SED)

Discusses the possible limitations and the advantages of computer-assisted language testing and several test variables which are of concern in determining test validity. The concept of computer-adaptive testing and its relationship to these variables is described. (SED)

Discusses the content, advantages, and disadvantages of a syllabus designed to teach English as a second language in a number of primary school classes in South India. The syllabus is based on the assumption that "form is best learned when the learner's attention is on meaning." (SED)

Examines ways in which meaning is extracted in authentic language contexts and claims that whatever level of language people use deviates from some putative ideal. Such deviant use of language is common to everyday conversation. Examines two common contexts in which authentic but deviant language is the medium of communication. (Author SED)

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.…

Describes a study of wait-time (the pause for thinking after questions and answers) for first-year high-school Spanish and French students in both their native and target languages. The average duration of wait-time was 1.91 seconds after questions and .73 seconds after responses. Wait-time was longer after questions in the native language. (SED)

A survey of undergraduate students studying foreign languages was conducted, examining selected learning behaviors culled from recent literature on good language learners. Results indicate that there is some evidence for a link between certain behaviors and student achievement. However, links between learning behavior and achievement seem…

Presents findings of a survey of English as a second language students' attitudes toward and preferences for the correction of spoken errors by native speaker friends. The subjects reported positive attitudes toward error correction and claimed to prefer even more correction than their friends did. They saw correcting errors as facilitating--even…

Describes a study that investigates whether programed instruction can eliminate differences between different achievement groups in the process of foreign language learning and the effect of response mode on the achievement of such learners. Both immediate and delayed retention tests were used with two response modes: overt and covert. (SED)