Stress in the English language is a key to information distribution in a sentence. This paper gives experimental evidence that, in speech, each word is given stress according to the degree to which that word can be predicted as an item in a sequence of items. (CK)

A study examines the relationship among the variables of practice, instruction and performance of adult learners of English as a second language. It is concluded that formal instruction is the most important determinant of student performance at intermediate and advanced levels because it provides a structural environment for feedback. (Author/RM)

The concept of register refers to variations in language determined by function, medium and formality or style. An examination of the registers of verb forms and noun phrases yielded results important to the writer of English language courses. (CK)

A study was conducted at Nanyang University in Singapore with Chinese-educated students who supposedly received 12 years of instruction in English but who were still deficient in the language. Comprehension of four different English accents were tested, and two tests of measuring aural comprehension were compared. (SW)

Assesses the status of English as a second language teaching in Canada. Focuses on a broad discussion of four areas; programs, cultural adjustment, research and experimentation, and professionalism. (PMP)

This paper explores the meanings and distribution of the perfect in contemporary American English prose, with reference to problems encountered in teaching English as a second language. The English perfect comprises forms traditionally called present perfect tense, past perfect tense, and perfects of the infinitive, gerund and present participle.…

In this study the inadequacies of rules governing the present perfect in isolated sentences are discussed and then two contextual factors thought to be connected with current relevance and the use of the present perfect are described. These factors are experimentally shown to influence use of the present perfect significantly. (CHK)

This paper examines from a discourse point the inability of a second language learner to comprehend the total discourse in a paragraph even if he understands all of the words and sentences. Research shows that native readers of English in science and technology use presuppositional information lacking in non-natives. (CHK)

Reviews some of the current literature on the sociolinguistic aspects of ESL. (RM)

Research was carried out on Japanese children in the United States to test the hypothesis of early age sensitivity in second language learning. The results did not support this hypothesis. Acquisition proceeded at a fast rate initially, but the amounts of gain diminished with time. (CFM)

A study demonstrated that reading skills are transferable from one language to another. Suggestions are made for increasing facility in reading a foreign language. (RM)

Two methods of teaching reading comprehension, one the traditional-frontal approach and the other a self-test approach, were used with university students of English as a second language. The test result at the end of the course revealed little difference between the students taught by the two methods. (CFM)

Examines the correlation between reading ability in a student's first and second languages and his language proficiency in a foreign language. The study concerns university students of English as a second language in Belgrade whose first language is Serbo-Croatian. Available from: Liviana Editrice, Via Altinate 31, 35100 Padova, Italy.

ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers must keep several things in mind when preparing materials. Linguistics is still a major descipline to turn to for insights. Recent language research too is valuable. Teachers should be aware of the many good materials already in existence which can be adapted. (CFM)

This is a progress report on a project involving research on the English language teaching situation in SEAMEO countries. The project, begun in December of 1973 and concluded by September of 1975, is to provide information for planners, supervisors, researchers and instructors in the field of English language teaching in Southeast Asia. (AM)