Defines language transfer as a psycholinguistic procedure by which second language learners activate prior knowledge in developing or using their interlanguage. A functional differentiation of language transfer is proposed, according to its activation in learning, reception, and production. (Author/LMO)

Evaluation of Chinese-speaking students' responses to a "Reporting Test" of oral proficiency in English as a foreign language indicated that the test may be valid and applicable for assessing oral proficiency. (CB)

Reviews language attrition research as well as analyzes characteristics of acquisition and attrition of first- and second-language skills. The relationship between language and memory is also discussed. Research results are summarized in appendix. (Author/LMO)

Comparison of the English comprehension of 16 non-native speakers on task directions presented by a native English speaker indicated that comprehension was best assisted when the content of directions was repeated and rephrased in interaction. Reduction in linguistic complexity in the premodified input did not significantly affect comprehension.…

Investigation of how college students' (N=125) personality characteristics influenced their attitudes toward various second-language learning activities partially confirmed hypotheses suggesting that risk taking and sociability factors positively influenced attitudes toward free language use and negatively affected attitudes toward highly…

Offers a typology of bilingual education in Malaysia, identifying four main types of transfer varieties (initial transfer, retransfer, circular transfer, and gradual transfer) of bilingual education and presenting an overview of bilingual education choices in Malaysia's public schools. (Author/CB)

Consists of three articles discussing the relevance of course work in foreign languages, English, and social studies to specific occupational areas. Describes jobs that make primary and secondary use of these skill areas. (CH)

Describes the use of transparency theory in second language acquisition and, in particular, its use as applied to a survival- or entry-level Spanish-language training effort called the EXITO project. The use of audio and video equipment to enhance the application of transparency theory concepts is also described. (Author/CB)

Discusses two principles of the experiential learning approach as it pertains to English-as-a-second-language instruction in Canada: (1) learning is an emotional experience that entails personal investment; and (2) to learn is to change. (Author/CB)

Finds that college freshmen's opinions on vocabulary acquisition agree with the results of recent research, which states that free reading is the most efficient and effective means of acquiring vocabulary in a first language. Results contrast with a study of university foreign language students, most of whom did not value reading as a means of…

A study investigating correlations between parents' and students' attitudes toward Hebrew and students' achievement in learning it as a second language found low and insignificant correlations between parents' and students' attitudes but high correlation between students' attitudes and achievement. (Author/CB)

Describes three models of CALL (computer assisted language learning) activity--games, the expert system, and the prosthetic approaches. A case is made for CALL development within a more instrumental view of the role of computers. (Author/CB)

Presents a strategy for using an expanded version of Total Physical Response (TPR) as one tool for teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Variations of TPR are suggested for the purpose of implementing the technique within the foreign language curriculum. (Author/CB)

Language Lotto is a game to sensitize second language students to a variety of conversational strategies and to what is implicit in spoken discourse. (MSE)

Describes interactive video, compares disc- and tape-based systems, and summarizes the considerations that led to the development of the "Autotutor," an interactive video system for language learners. The process of creating interactive video learning materials is explained and its advantages to the learner are discussed. (SED)