As a language teacher, Bricklin Zeff has long realized that knowing the words of a language is only part of speaking it. Knowing how to interpret a communicative act is equally important, and it needs to be taught explicitly. Therefore, he makes this learning a regular part of the class experience. Greetings are one of the few speech acts that…

Describes a study of Japanese homestay students enrolled in a U.S. university that sought insight into the students language experience. Students were interviewed regarding the amount of conversation they had with their host families, the character and quality of the conversation, and how students and host family members negotiate…