Innovations in the German program at this college include (1) an emphasis on Junior Year Abroad for all majors; (2) courses in German literature in English offered to non-German students; (3) a course in translating skills, from German to English, for advanced students. (CHK)

A questionnaire given to graduates and students of English revealed that: most use of their English was in the home country; aural comprehension was most important, followed by reading-comprehension, speaking and writing. Abroad, English was used more in non-English-speaking countries than in England or the USA. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Pattern practice is seen as a valuable means of mastering the regularities of language, including forms, combinations of forms (structure), and the combining of such structures into more complex constructions. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Describes some sample discrimination exercises, involving discrimination between forms, between two uses of a form, between different information patterns, and between forms having different social relevance. (IFS/WGA)

Conversation is not easy to teach because of the absence of natural stimuli. Role-playing is seen as the best way to practice natural and interesting conversation. (IFS/WGA)

Argues for pattern drill as an indispensable link in the learning process: presentation, explanation, practice, performance. Opponents of pattern practice are suspected of confusing goal (communication) with means (drill phase). (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

"Gambits" are conversational tools for introducing what we're about to say, such as "Excuse me for interrupting, but..." A three-part textbook series for students of English as a Second Language entitled "Gambits" contains exercises for advanced students which attempt to recreate "real-life" language…

A self-instructional language program can offer rewarding and stimulating study to the motivated and gifted student. It provides a challenging approach to language learning and an opportunity to study a language not offered in the curriculum. Lessons are recorded on tape cassettes; lab work and tutorial sessions are used. (CHK)

Lists and describes the sites available on the World Wide Web used for Web-based projects for language education. Notes that the number and style of such sites has risen dramatically, reflecting a growing interest among language teaching faculty. Points out that both a program's content and its presentation affect its feasibility as an educational…

Provides a status report as of July 1995 of the Statement and Profile for languages in government education systems across Australia. The article summarizes the state of second-language education in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. (Author/CK)

Outlines the approaches used by the largest language school in Victoria, Australia, providing strategies to help its teachers enhance second language learning in a mixed ability environment. These strategies encompass organizing learning activities and seating arrangements; forming groups and pairs; student preparation of group activities; and…

Offers an overview of the state of business communication and intercultural communication in departments of business administration at European universities compared to those in the United States. Discusses in particular language training and intercultural communication. (SR)

Addresses the notion of "interaction" within performance-based language assessment, arguing that a broader professional view of performance in second-language achievement assessment is needed to permit a focus on the social dimension of interaction. The article focuses on the assessment of spoken language through interviews and role-plays within…

Discusses the sociolinguistic order in the new South Africa, traces the implications of English dominance in this order, and reflects on the difficulty of assembling an accurate picture of the sociolinguistic order of a society in times of rapid social change. Particular focus is on the processes of restandardization of standard South African…

Contends that second-language reading comprehension should be investigated using adult bilingual readers reading authentic materials in their first and second languages and should focus on the process rather than the product. Examines reading strategies of eight Chinese graduate students at a Canadian university. Suggests that students used the…