Human raters are normally involved in L2 performance assessment; as a result, rater behavior has been widely investigated to reduce rater effects on test scores and to provide validity arguments. Yet raters' cognition and use of rubrics in their actual rating have rarely been explored qualitatively in L2 speaking assessments. In this study three…

Examines the theory that modern language teaching methodologies are based on the assumption that language training can best advance when the individual is viewed as part of a broader context in which interaction between student and teacher, individuals and their learning environment, are considered. (EKN)

The theory and methods of the natural approach to language acquisition in the classroom are described. The natural approach is based on the theory that language acquisition occurs only when students receive comprehensible input. The emphasis is on reading and listening comprehension for beginning students. The seven chapters cover (1) language…

This paper discusses how an understanding of speech acts contributes to the communicative competence in foreign language learning. Reviewing John Searle's five categories of speech acts (1976), the directive is discussed in terms of its manifestations in various foreign languages. Examples of directives in English, German, French, and Spanish are…

In terms of second-language learning, examines: (1) What is the significance, educational and statistical, of the performance difference between field-dependent and field-independent students? and (2) Does the learner's cognitive style interact with other factors in the learning situation, such as the teacher's cognitive style, to affect…

Discusses the development of a language aptitude test designed to help select students to study German. Four areas of assessment are memory ability, ability to deal with stress and intonation patterns, inductive reasoning ability, and ability to recognize grammatical case. (EKN)

Two experiments were designed to see (1) if a cloze procedure is a valid measure of language proficiency (it seems to be) and (2) whether a cloze procedure can distinguish accurately between groups at various instructional levels (it distinguishes levels but the levels overlap). (EKN)

Describes immersion programs in the United States and Canada and reviews results of evaluative research pertaining to them. Discusses findings with respect to students' native-language development, academic achievement, and second language proficiency. Also discusses the suitability of immersion for students with distinctive, potentially…

The autonomous language learner takes responsibility for the totality of his learning situation. He does this by determining his own objectives, defining the contents to be learned and the progression of the course, selecting methods and techniques to be used, monitoring this procedure, and evaluating what he has acquired. Objectives are specific…

Analyzes the omission, overgeneralization, and misuse errors in the compositions of first- through third-year university Spanish students, with major emphasis placed on the role errors play in the acquisition of Spanish as a second language. (EKN)

Presents study conducted using high school Spanish students to demonstrate that either a cloze test or a redundancy test could be used in place of either the MLA total score or an interview test. (Author/BK)

Presents data on the impact of oral and silent reading on reading comprehension. Hypothesizes that reading comprehension is enhanced significantly by silent, rather than oral reading, and that re-reading is an effective mode for increasing comprehension in either mode. (EKN)

The article offers a theoretical framework including a brief review of the literature on the importance of attitudes and second language learning, bilingualism and cognition, and bilingualism and language acquisition. Based on this theoretical framework, an integrated bilingual kindergarten curriculum model is presented. (NQ)

In the early 1970s, American educators commenced experiments on Suggestopedia. Educational psychologists enlarged upon the relaxation and visualizations contained in the Bulgarian method and provided a solid, statistical basis to Suggestopedic research. Part I of this paper discusses the contribution of Donald Schuster, and his development of…

This text is a compilation of articles focusing on second language teaching, second language learning, and learning materials. Written in honor of Dr. Mary Finocchiaro, it epitomizes her work in the field of language teaching by presenting both theory and practice in the second language classroom. The articles include (1) "What is Second Language…