Interview data gathered from students in a New Zealand English-as-a-Second-Language program form the basis of a discussion of autonomous behavior in language learning. It is noted that autonomous language learning has advantages over teacher-dominated learning but that it cannot simply be "clipped on" to existing programs. (Contains…

Advocates the use of simulations in second-language classrooms, examining their advantages and presenting data from a study on college students' perceptions of the effectiveness of these advantages in an advanced second-language classroom. The study indicates that students found simulations enjoyable, motivating, and effective in promoting…

One Israeli elementary school uses creative writing to make English writing real for upper elementary students. After selecting meaningful topics, students brainstorm ideas to write about, narrow their selection to a specific aspect of the topic, choose a writing style from a list, produce a first draft, edit, and rewrite as necessary. Finished…

Describes how Holocaust literature can be used in Israeli English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) high school classrooms, focusing on the importance of the cultural model, language model, and personal growth model when studying literature in ESL classrooms. The article describes a work unit in Holocaust literature and presents sample activities related…

Makes a plea for reading authentic "Jugendliteratur" in the foreign-language classroom. Focuses on the reasons for inclusions of this literature, discusses some of the reasons for its omission, and offers solutions to the problems perceived. Strategies for reading whole texts are shared and applied to the reading of "Oya" by…

Analyzed whether variations in amount and type of linguistic simplification would create differences in the comprehension levels of Jordanian college students studying English. Students read different versions of a text and completed an achievement test. Simplification positively affected students' reading comprehension. The type, not amount, of…

This replication study demonstrated that Jordanian college students studying English recognized the meanings of new words and built associations between them after comprehension-focused extensive reading. Controlled book-length reading generated more incidental word learning and a higher pickup rate than shorter tasks. Word frequency did not make…

The latest movement to reform German spelling is discussed, focusing on the need for greater consistency in spelling of words from other languages and the major changes proposed. Issues addressed include capitalization, specific idiosyncracies in German spelling, concerns related to computerization, public opinion, and the scope of the reform.…

College second language programs offer more to students than knowledge of the language. Language study can challenge students intellectually and creatively and contribute to their academic and social development, even when language study is begun at this level. Value is found in the substance, process, and outcomes of language study. (Author/MSE)

Reports a study of the learning strategies and processes of four adult learners of Chinese, using data collected over a two-year period. Students showed a number of different approaches to learning, not all of which could be classified "good language learner" strategies. Findings suggest areas for exploration in immersion education, especially…

Investigates effect of task type on resultant candidate discourse and input of the interlocutor. The experimental design ensured an information gap in one of the interview tasks for prospective immigrants to Australia. Findings indicate that candidate discourse differs in quantity and quality between situations when an information gap exists and…

Examined the ability to access patterns of pedagogical knowledge about teaching and learning operating when experienced English-as-a-Second-Language teachers taught, using both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Teachers viewed and discussed videotapes of their own lessons. Analysis of their recollections suggests that a combination of…

Examined writing-revision strategies of college students studying French. Students completed a computer-assisted writing task. Analysis of compositions, computer records, videotaped writing sessions, and student postwriting questionnaires showed that both good and poor French writers did not revise substantially or spontaneously for meaning,…

Suggests a quick and practical supplementary test that can solve many of the difficulties of student placement in intensive English programs (IEPs). Dictation is suggested as an easy and efficient way to gain information about students' underlying abilities to communicate. (Author/VWL)

Reports on a survey of 56 faculty members from nine university intensive English programs (IEPs). The survey gathered information on (1) the experience and relative comfort of faculty in teaching and developing content-based courses; (2) faculty perceptions of the efficacy of the content-based courses; and (3) faculty perceptions of an ideal IEP…