Reports on a study of 160 Nigerian secondary students to determine the influence of achievement motivation and gender on performance in English language learning. Finds that, if adequately motivated, the students are capable of mastering English. Attributes the lack of gender differences to social change in Nigeria. (CFR)

Theories and practices in second-language learning have changed in many ways, particularly toward communicative or proficiency-oriented outcomes. The discussion emphasizes proficiency and performance, communicative objectives, instructional approaches that promote proficiency, and testing and assessment. (Contains 10 references.) (LB)

Information about the foreign language academic history, learning attitudes, and academic skills was gathered from high-risk students, low-risk students, and students with learning disabilities. Findings are interpreted in light of the Linguistic Coding Deficit Hypothesis, which speculates that foreign-language learning problems are related to…

Describes a study that investigated issues related to timing of feedback in writing instruction and explores answers to the following: (1) What would English-as-a-Second-Language learners like to have emphasized in feedback and when? (2) While revising, do learners respond to feedback on both content and language use? and (3) What are the…

Analysis of language production skills of French immersion students in grades 1-6 over 3 years revealed rapid growth of oral competence in the first three years of acquisition, followed by a much slower annual rate of progress. Lexical and syntactic structures most difficult to acquire emerge in five distinct patterns. (50 references) (Author/MSE)

Investigated the acquisition of the English polar question in 120 Yoruba- and Hausa-speaking Nigerian secondary school students, illustrating how a systematic order emphasizing communicative language activities underlies their acquisition. It is noted that the first language does not appear to influence their learning. Findings suggest that…

Describes a pilot project to deal with the problem of articulating postsecondary language study. This project consists of 1 elementary school immersion teacher and 21 foreign language teachers from high schools and colleges. The project has the potential of effecting a statewide adoption of proficiency standards and an improvement in the quality…

Explores students' views of English-as-a-Second-Language courses in discussions with three Japanese secondary students. Their stories were analyzed in terms of Schwab's four curriculum commonplaces: learner, subject matter, milieu, and teacher. For the students, learning English is connected to negotiating their identities in a new environment.…

States that educators have argued for a kind of teaching that helps students to comprehend complex ideas. Considers that this kind of teaching might be important to low-income, cultural-minority students learning a second language, many of whom are at risk for underachievement in school. Proposes that "instructional conversations" might…

This paper examines the teacher-student relationship in the foreign language classroom, focusing on how the teacher runs the class, the kinds of control required, and the rules governing the delegation of control. It reviews research on teacher talk, error correction, questioning of students, and wait time for student responses. (MDM)

Studies variables affecting language achievement at school by examining attitudes of 273 non-language students toward language learning in terms of enjoyment, ease of vocabulary and grammar learning, and satisfaction with teachers. Although less than half the students enjoyed their school experience, many expressed a desire to learn a foreign…

This article reports research with 80 children in 4 English-as-a-Foreign-Language classes in an elementary school in Lucca, Italy, discusses the teaching methods, and analyzes the results of the teaching. (CFM)

Focuses on the development process that culminated in a successful, two-semester, weekend college elementary French course. The article outlines the challenges encountered, the characteristics of the multimedia approach chosen to meet these challenges, and the "andragogical" approach used to adapt this methodology to learner needs. (27 references)…

Discusses educational employment (EE) opportunities for students in German-speaking countries, and the implementation of EE programs by American colleges and universities. Also lists internship and EE opportunities administered by colleges, universities, and other organizations in the United States, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. (six…

Compared the way in which learners of French as a Second Language (L2) and English as a First Language (L1) established the coherence of a specific text. Results indicated that when L2 learners approached a text, criteria of familiarity, expectation of meaning, and the teaching context were important. (12 references) (MDM)