In the UK, Latin is often seen as an elitist subject taught largely at fee-paying schools. Over the past generation, however, great strides have been made in opening up the subject to students from all backgrounds. A major hindrance to widening access to Latin at university level is that the language can often prove challenging for students. Data…

This study attempted to investigate the ability of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom learning environment and student background characteristics to predict student persistence in EFL learning. The study also aimed to investigate whether the associations between learning environment characteristics and persistence varied by several…

This article discusses principles involved in developing course materials for technology-mediated Chinese language learning, with examples from a new course designed to take into account the needs of distance and independent learners. Which learning environment is most efficient for a given learning activity needs to be carefully considered. It…

This article presents a case study focused on the pedagogy of nine English language teachers' pedagogy in Ecuador. The significance of this study is its potential to inform practitioners, teacher educators, and policymakers in countries where teachers need to be prepared to teach in multilingual settings, such as Ecuador. Data analyses of nine…

The present paper addresses children's participation through pedagogical structuring in an early childcare programme in Australia. Research shows inequality in participatory opportunities depending on skills in the spoken (majority) language. Against this background, the focus in the present study is on participatory opportunities for toddlers…

The role of learner autonomy and self-regulated learning in distance education has received much attention. The application of these concepts impacts course design and, potentially, learner achievement. In the case of distance language learning, course designers must consider not only how to help learners gain communicative competence but also…

Describes a systematic approach to designing and improving foreign languages courses based on a model of course design. Suggests that the strength of systematically following a model is that the important things are not overlooked. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the suitability of functional syllabuses as a basis for general course design, and means whereby functionally oriented materials may be integrated within existing language programs. (Author/AM)

Proceeding from a presentation of the present state of discussion as well as of the unsolved or only apparently solved problem, the article attempts, in the light of curricular-based need for internally individualized types of work, to give suggestions for the organization of content for individualized instruction. In this connection, a theory, as…

Describes various language courses organized by the Commission of European Communities as part of their personnel training program. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Argues that a social and support services network must be conjoined with Indochinese ESL programs to facilitate language training and overall resettlement. Survival, prevocational, and occupation-related language goals of the refugees must be addressed if they are to remain effectively involved in ESL programs. (EKN)

Gives a typology of various possible approaches to grammar teaching, involving grammars for learning, for skill acquisition, and those which look at course organization, media and teaching aids. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Examines the extent to which linguistic descriptions can adequately account for their reality for learners and provide a reference point for the design of language courses. Special concern is focused on second language learners as a particular kind of language user. (Author/VWL)

The teaching profession is encouraged to retreat from the search for one method of instruction and to recognize that there are many factors which lead to success in modern language learning. Several models offering different approaches for organizing classroom instruction are suggested. (Author/PMP)

A STUDY OF COURSE DENSITY AND PACE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION WAS BASED ON DATA OBTAINED FROM THE STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS OF NINE SCHOOLS OFFERING INTENSIVE, SEMI-INTENSIVE, OR NON-INTENSIVE PROGRAMS IN WHICH AUDIOLINGUAL SKILLS WERE STRESSED. THE LANGUAGES CONCERNED WERE CHINESE, RUSSIAN, GERMAN, SPANISH, AND FRENCH. PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS…