Ways for language teachers to make effective use of a class library are suggested with focus on selection of suitable books, provision of sufficient reading time in class, and varieties of library activities for primary schools. The Hong Kong approach is cited. (LB)

Four games are described that were developed to give students of English as a foreign language oral practice with articles and the prerequisite mass-count noun distinction. The games provide guided, concentrated practice in contexts naturally called for particle subcases of article use. With suitable vocabulary control, they are applicable for…

A new set of course descriptions has affected the teaching of writing as part of the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia. The focus of writing is now on the functions of written expression, the writing content and situation, and the domain of writing. (one reference) (LB)

Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore developed a three-part procedure to help English language students overcome anxiety about preparing and delivering a two-minute persuasive talk as part of an exam. The approach has the students first talk about themselves and then use computer prompts and videotaped practice speeches. (LB)

The development of "English for Occupational Purposes" (EOP) by a team of seven authors and two project directors for EOP classes at Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore is described. Aspects included the prewriting stage; analyses of the teaching, learning, and target situations analysis; writing and editing; and postwriting stage. (LB)

Diary studies in language teaching are first-person case studies in which the diarist-researcher investigates his/her own language learning or teaching through by recording personal observations. A diary study of a teacher of English for Academic Purposes II is described, including data collection, procedures, and problems. (10 references) (LB)

Researchers at the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom) have built a large database of every-day English and dictionary (COBUILD) for producing better English-as-a-Second/Foreign-Language teaching and learning materials. The lexical syllabus and the English course that has evolved from is are discussed. (23 references) (Author/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)

A description of an English proficiency test illustrates the communicative approach to language testing. The test measures students' ability to identify specific notions, give appropriate responses, use correct grammatical structures and vocabulary, engage in grammatical/spelling/capitalization problem solving, and use task-based material in…