Describes some experiments conducted among adult learners in France, West Germany, and Sweden to determine the accuracy of students' self-evaluations, measured against teachers' evaluations. Analyzes the results, showing that there is enough agreement between students' and teachers' assessments to justify increased reliance on self-evaluation.…

A variety of possible language methodologies and the effects these have on the learners are examined. A sample questionnaire, designed to discover how students have previously been instructed in foreign language, is included. (SW)

In a study of learners' levels of comfort with language activity types allowing differing degrees of interaction, 110 first-year college students of French, Spanish, and Italian were surveyed at a university and community college. Results suggest the value of activities facilitative of negotiated interaction. The questionnaire is appended. (10…

Nonnative university students have difficulty coping with lectures given in English and need authentic and relevant material in listening and note-taking courses. One approach based on a transcription of a paleontology lecture is presented, suggested by linguistic analysis of 40 science lectures at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. (four…

This article discusses how we incorporated an extensive reading (ER) program into a second semester Japanese course at the University of Hawai'i using Japanese children's literature. After summarizing the ten principles of ER, we describe how we addressed six critical issues faced while introducing ER into the course. We also discuss the outcomes…

In this article, I describe a practical application of the Roussos and Stout (1996) multidimensional analysis framework for interpreting group performance differences on an ESL reading proficiency test. Although a variety of statistical methods have been developed for flagging test items that function differentially for equal ability examinees…

Closed-captioned videotapes and accompanying print materials are available to the Prince George's County Public Schools English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program to help students develop their sight and meaning vocabulary, oral reading fluency, prediction skills, and ability to locate information in written texts. This manual is intended to…

Presented is a bibliography on anxiety and second language learning consisting of three sections. The first contains 34 annotated citations of articles and research reports on anxiety and second language learning and proficiency. The second lists and outlines 29 scales or other measures of anxiety, some of which specifically relate to language. In…

This study examined why preschool, kindergarten, and 4th grade students had poor comprehension of a second language. The reasons for this were threefold: learning a second language is not essential to a child's life at these ages; they are not motivated to learn a second language on their own; and it was widely thought that learning a second…

This resource guide will help rural school districts with a low incidence of English language learners (ELLs) develop the capacity to build and implement a comprehensive program that meets both the academic and language proficiency needs of ELLs. Under Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, ELLs must show increased academic achievement…

Presents a German test for English students. Errors in the placing of "nicht" are examined and categorized. Criticism of the objectivity of the findings are examined. The tests are seen as a measure of oral skills. Study is recommended of how to present most economically the various items. (IFS/WGA)

Reports on a study in which students expressed their opinions about the software Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) they used in the multimedia laboratory. The sample was made up of 59 undergraduates who completed a questionnaire. Results showed that students clearly see software programs as a complementary tool in the foreign language…

Presents a quiz for use in the advanced English classroom that introduces language learners to a variety of amusing slang expressions and idioms. The learner is led to consider the possibility of a little-known rule in English: male=positive, female=negative, and is offered an opportunity for discussion and vocabulary building. (Author/VWL)

As distance learning and other nontraditional methods of language learning become more popular, it is important to understand the factors that influence learners' ability to succeed in such environments. This paper reports on two factors that have a significant impact on the student experience in a self-instructed language program: locus of…

This study analyzed the accent perceptions of a group of 37 English language learners and 10 American undergraduate students. Each subject listened to a one-minute passage read by four speakers with different accents of English: General American, British English, Chinese English, and Mexican English. Participants then attempted to identify the…