Identifies different types of tests and then treats evaluation tests at some length. Emphasizes that there is no such things as a universal test, which can be used to measure the second-language competence of any group of people," and that tests are only useful for the group they were designed to measure." (FB)

Sample questionnaire included. Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the ESC Conference Planning Committee on Bilingual Education at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, March 3-5, 1969, and at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, June 27-28, 1969. (DS)

A study of spontaneous sign language of six deaf children of hearing parents, examined three times in a 15-month period, is described. Processes and structures representative of and not representative of signed English were sought at various levels of linguistic complexity, including developing semantics, and compared with American Sign Language.…

Briefly reviews the history, initial problems, and economic adjustment of Southeast Asian refugees residing in the United States today. Provides some figures on yearly arrivals from 1975 to 198l, national origin of the U.S. Southeast Asians, their current level of English proficiency, labor force participation, and percent of households on public…

Discusses the second language production of adults when responding to the same stimuli (the SLOPE test) under two conditions: (1) unmonitored, when giving spontaneous oral responses and (2) monitored, when giving written responses without time limit constraints. (EKN)

Describes a five-step creative writing program designed to improve student language skills. (JL)

Presents study administered to Egyptian FL students to identify optimal combinations and weights of subscales of English language proficiency for predicting ESL proficiency while following constraints posed by syllabus. Results show error identification, grammar accuracy, vocabulary, and composition as best predictors. (Author/BK)

Suggests restructuring language programs to capitalize on the visual medium through use of video-based second language instruction. Gives examples of video-based language activities developed over four years at World English Center, University of San Francisco. (Author/BK)

American and EFL students' comprehension difficulties in reading scientific discourse containing implicit and explicit definitions were tested. Though both found implicit information more difficult to comprehend, the differences in scores on the implicit and explicit definitions remained the same even where English proficiency increased. (PMJ)

The language development of children who have experienced malnutrition and varying degrees of speech and sensory deprivation is examined. In language learning, such children attend only when directly addressed, cannot control pitch and intonation and lack an understanding of the relational linguistic material and the sociolinguistic rules of…

Four experiments compared three alternative models of linear syllogistic reasoning: (1) linguistic; (2) spatial; and (3) mixed linguistic-spatial. The mixed model, indicating the importance of both verbal and spatial ability, was supported by all four experiments, and for about three-fourths of the undergraduate students studied. (Author/GDC)

Describes the structure of the United Nations (Geneva) French language test, with exerpts from the listening comprehension portion of the test. The test is given to professional candidates to determine their level of functional proficiency in French. (AM)

Four positions concerning foreign and second language learning ability in adults are summarized with attention to the "critical period" hypothesis. An argument is made for a shift from macro-correlational studies to controlled micro language learning research free of extralinguistic variables. (PMJ)