In an effort to learn at which level of language proficiency English for Special Purposes can be taught effectively to nonnative speakers, 50 students at an electronics institute in Algeria were administered eight tests after a 16-week intensive English course. Four of the tests were of skills in English as a second language (ESL): the grammar…

Guidelines for conducting a self-study of international educational exchange programs and services are provided for colleges and universities. Attention is directed to: the self-regulation program of the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA), conducting NAFSA self-study processes, and using NAFSA principles. The major elements…

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' Provisional Proficiency Guidelines are criticized for their narrow view of language use and the inadequacy of their construct of "proficiency." The appropriateness of the guidelines as a basis for developing a syllabus or designing a curriculum is questioned. (MSE)

The English as a Second Language (ESL) standards articulate the abilities and competencies that Limited English Proficient (LEP) and English Language Learners (ELLs) must demonstrate to successfully integrate into the English academic mainstream. The standards combine the principles of second language learning with the language development…

This paper discusses how Japanese teachers of English can help students acquire real oral communication skills by challenging and changing their teaching approaches, reflecting on their teaching styles, understanding the situation in their language classrooms, and taking steps to solve the problem of authentic oral communication. The paper…

This document is intended to assist curriculum developers in the review and revision of ESL curricula to ensure alignment to the overarching goal of teaching English language learners to use English to achieve academically in all content areas. This document is organized around the goals and standards of the New Jersey language arts literacy…

Several English and Spanish language tests currently used in bilingual education and some less known tests are reviewed, looking at both historic and psychometric factors. It is suggested that practitioners have commonly assumed that all language tests are basically valid, which contributed to the commercial success of some tests of questionable…

This framework provides Canadian curriculum writers with student learning outcomes they can use to develop curricula for international language courses. Its aim is the development of communicative competence in a specific international language (represented by applications, language competence, global citizenship, and strategies). The framework is…

This book reviews the research on effective practices for older English learners. It is intended for teachers, program directors, resource personnel, and administrators who are attempting to meet the needs of older English learners who come to school with limited formal schooling experiences. The book shows how three teachers have put theory into…

Notes that children who speak little or no English are often placed in regular classrooms without benefit of help from bilingual programs. Offers ideas classroom teachers can use in helping these children learn to read. (FL)

Ten guidelines, along with corresponding teaching techniques and learning activities, are offered for developing students' communicative proficiency as described in the "ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines." The objective is to improve students' Spanish and Portuguese communication ability in authentic, situational contexts. (16 references) (LB)

A study investigated the relationship of English proficiency, measured by self-report and standardized test scores and selected nonlinguistic variables to academic problems perceived by 245 foreign graduate students. Self-rated proficiency, prior English training, and age were the most significant predictors of perceived difficulty. Language test…

The controversial oral English Bagrut examination is seen as a means to prepare students for their written Bagrut exam, specifically to encourage the active use of the English language. (LB)

Dictation in language testing is discussed: its definition, types, history, procedures, possible applications, and some issues concerning dictation as a device for testing English as a Foreign Language. A sample passage for testing student proficiency is included. (22 references) (LB)

Ways that dictation helps students learn English as a Foreign Language are discussed. Varieties of dictation are included along with one teacher's experience using it in a Chinese university. (one reference) (LB)