A procedure for implementing a 24-day intensive language course that involves eight thematic lesson plans uses a 3-day cycle of instruction based on the Lozanov method. The classroom is organized to be as free as possible from typical classroom associations, using chairs in a semi-circle without tables or desks. The first 3 days are structured to…

This paper describes an experience for professionals based on an intensive 1-week language immersion course that has been offered in Akron, Ohio and Denver, Colorado. The course has been designed for professionals at the intermediate level in French and Spanish. The course requires that participants have acquired the basic grammatical structures…

The demand for an improved international dimension in American education is a move in the right direction, and American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and Educational Testing Service efforts in defining foreign language proficiency guidelines and developing a reliable mechanism for testing oral proficiency have resulted in…

The structure of an 8-week intensive course in literature for advanced learners of English as a Second Language is described. Focus is on engaging student interest with texts rich in theme and/or language that can elicit thoughtful discussion. In the first 2 weeks, the language and length of the texts (short stories) selected make them relatively…

An introductory course in notetaking for low intermediate students of English as a second language (ESL) is described. The course is designed to give practice in notetaking techniques to college-bound ESI students before they are required to take notes with a competence equal to that of native speakers. The class begins with a discussion of common…

An intensive course in English for business communication, offered at an institute for graduate-level teacher training in Ukraine, is described. An introductory section examines the need for and approaches to English-as-a-Second-Language teaching in Ukraine. The course consists of two main parts: a 14-week intensive general English class, titled…

Experiences in teaching a first-year reading course in the intensive English program at Kansai Gaidai Junior College (Japan) are discussed. In the period described, there were six classes of 16 students each. A proficiency-oriented approach incorporating a learner development component was adopted to facilitate the transition from traditional…

This paper describes the techniques used in a successful, intensive course in introductory Russian. The objectives of the course are to develop good pronunciation and oral communication skills, good listening comprehension skills, some fluency in reading, and some elementary skill in writing. The course relies upon the development of a community…

Spanish language training at the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management is discussed, focusing on the instructional materials and classroom techniques used in advanced Spanish conversation classes. While traditional materials (dialogues, dictation, literature, mass media, video- and audiotapes) and learning activities (recitation,…