Examines some problems involved in compulsory second language instruction on the secondary level, and suggests some approaches to second language instruction that stress cognitive development and awareness of language. (AM)

Discusses the importance of clear objectives, pleasant learning atmosphere, and positive attitudes in the second language classroom handling low-ability students. A student questionnaire form is appended. (AM)

Describes a method whereby sixth-form students assist the language instructor by leading small groups in oral practice. (AM)

Reports on teacher reaction to a compromise proposal dealinq with the reform of A level and N level language syllabuses. (AM)

Notes that English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers have been carefully nurturing student ability to produce language, while neglecting the receptive side of learning. Proposes that increased amounts of reading should be assigned at all levels of ESL programs. Suggests ways to restructure programs and to teach reading and vocabulary…

Compares variant pronunciations of "clothes" in British and American colloquial with the D. Jones "norms" taught in German schools and with the mostly incorrect pronunciations of German students of English. Considers the genesis of the errors, and discusses possibilities for correcting and preventing such errors. (IFS/WGA)

Recommends foreign-language camps as a remedy for lack of practice in speaking. Relates experiences with a two-day camp at a youth hostel in North Germany, for 25 to 30 students from a teachers' college. Advantages of such camps are described and details of the program are given. (IFS/WGA)

Describes a French language program based on the concept of language for survival. Students took trips to Quebec and were asked to carry out tasks, such as asking for directions and buying items in a store, exclusively in French. (AM)

Presents results of a study that sought to test the pronunciation problems of a large number of American students in a beginning college-level French course. Learner difficulties over a 15-week period were used to create a hierarchy of minimal contrasts representing major, secondary, and minor problems for the students in learning French sounds.…

Reports on an experiment with a three-hour teaching unit used with an eighth-grade class in Germany. Describes the planning and carrying out of each of the three class hours, discussing, for each step, the content, methodology, and utilization of media. Concludes with an overall evaluation. (IFS/WGA)

Describes a sequence for teaching the Russian passive construction to exemplify how a learning sequence based on a contrastive analysis and on error analysis can lessen student errors. These errors are caused either by interference from the first language or over-generalization in the second language. (PMJ)

Reports on a research study seeking to determine why a large percentage of English-speaking Canadian parents do not enroll their primary-aged children in French immersion programs. (AM)

Describes the mounting of Ionesco's "La Lecon" through a group of junior high school students, and the subsequent videotaping of the performance for viewing by a large audience. Suggestions are given for using drama and videotapes in the language classroom. (AM)

Describes recent efforts that have been made to overcome barriers to the successful implementation of sociolinguistics in early education, barriers involving acceptance of research by the schools, attitude and teaching method changes by teachers, and the needs of the children themselves. (DS)

This article discusses Community Language Learning (CLL) and its unique characteristic of employing reflection as a way of learning a foreign language. The use of CLL in teaching oral English to Japanese students in Japan is described. (CFM)