Examines the learning strategies successful language learners employ and suggests that teachers can help their less successful students by paying more attention to learner strategies already seen as productive. (PMP)

An exercise developed to aid an aphasia patient in relearning rules governing phonological changes in English was later used in a pilot study attempting to teach English pronunciation to French speakers by rule rather than by rote. The method used and the results obtained are reported. (RM)

Four factors are outlined as necessary for individualized learning and teaching programs. The implementation of these factors in the media-aided language programs, and particularly the German program, at the University of Minnesota is described. (RM)

Discusses the desirability of Japanese as a second language for Australians in tourism and trade industries. Initial instruction using Roman alphabet followed by job training in Japan is recommended. (RM)

Describes an exchange program between Indonesian language students and teachers from Darwin and a group of students and teachers from Bali. The visits related to the subject areas of history, geography, Asian studies, and Bahasa Indonesia. (RM)

The advantages of a defined syllabus in second language teaching, especially in relation to public examinations, are discussed. The origin and development of the York defined syllabuses are described, and extracts are given from the introductory document and the French and Russian syllabuses. (RM)

Ways to use classroom tests as an aid to students of foreign languages are discussed, with particular reference to retesting. (RM)

A study investigated the statistical techniques used by applied linguists and reported in three journals, "Language Learning,""Applied Linguistics," and "TESOL Quarterly," between 1980 and 1986. It was found that 47% of the published articles used statistical procedures. In these articles, 63% of the techniques used could be called basic, 28%…

A discussion of schema theory as it relates to the learning of English as a Second Language reviews related research and its implications for classroom instruction. The first section looks at schema theory in general and content schemata in particular, focusing on how they affect reading comprehension. Studies of non-native speakers, schema…

The new call to action on foreign language competence is addressed to administrators and academic officers of higher education institutions. Based on recent reports on education, it is proposed that American colleges and universities are not succeeding in equipping students to live and communicate in an international world, and that the problem…

Study abroad is not a frill of the foreign language major's curriculum, but rather a component that is crucial to the linguistic preparation of a successful language teacher. During the study abroad experience, the student can obtain the ability to use the language freely and spontaneously, thus helping create an atmosphere of excitement and…

The rationale and methodology for using videotape recordings to test foreign language listening comprehension are discussed. First, the advantages of using video in teaching and testing listening comprehension are examined and the specific listening skills to be developed at the beginning level are outlined. Issues in the selection of video…

Problems related to the study of second language learners are described, and the factors affecting language development are discussed. Factors influential in second language learning include psychological, sociological, and affective aspects. Similarly, the measurement of language has been influenced by linguistic, psychological, and social…

Cybernetic feedback theory sees the individual as a self-organizing feedback control system that generates its own activity to control its own perceptions. Applying the principle of feedback to language use, it appears that speaking as an overt public behavior is controlled by an internally private listening capacity. With that listening capacity,…

A discussion of the language needs of adolescents as they relate to second language instruction suggests that for this large population of learners, language needs have not really been considered seriously. It is also proposed that because of the fluidity of the term "language needs," the focus should instead be on second language communication…