It is argued that contrastive linguistics cannot necessarily be used to simplify teaching of a foreign language by leaving out areas in which the mother tongue and target language are similar. Possessional adjectives in English and German are discussed in support of this argument. (RM)

It is asserted that many errors in a foreign language result not merely from inaccurately learned grammatical items or structures but also from failure to understand the meaning distinctions indicated in the grammar of the new language. Implications for language teaching are discussed. (Author/RM)

Discussion of a study to determine the correlation between better performance of foreign language students in English and natural talent for languages, transfer of foreign language skills to English, or both talent and transfer. The procedure and results are described. Support for the third hypothesis (talent and transfer) was gained. (AMH)

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)

A brief discussion of the role of contrastive linguistics and transformational generative grammar in studying transfer and interference in language learning. The base language is not necessarily the mother tongue. It is the language known by the learner which most closely resembles the new language being learned. (AMH)

Two methods of teaching a grammatical principle were compared in terms of initial learning results, positive and negative transfer, and retention. Forty-five pairs of sixth grade students, matched by sex and intelligence, formed two experimental groups. Group A was taught the principle and given practice with examples ("conventional" method) while…

Pedagogical implications of transfer of training theory and of an assumed universal grammar, as related to second language learning processes, are reviewed in this article. In recent years, the concept of a universal grammar has lost its credibility. The author urges, however, that grammar be conceived as a process or method of generating or…

Reviews research findings as they relate to the acquisition of reading skills (in the first and second language) by majority-group school children participating in early immersion programs. (Author)

A study is reported evaluating the effects on the development of bilingual reading skills of a second language--native language sequence of reading instruction as opposed to a native language--second language sequence in elementary grade French immersion programs. (RM)

Can the way children learn Chinese help them to learn English? In this study, it is noted that there is a possibility that despite the structural differences between them, there is transference from the learning of Chinese to the learning of English. Skinner's four major reinforcement schedules were used in this study to promote this transference…

It is hypothesized that free, spontaneous interaction cannot be easily attained in language courses which are rigid and mechanical. For this reason, the author urges the development of instructional materials which facilitate a smooth and natural transition from "skill-getting" to "skill-using." Discussion of Jerome Bruner's theory of language…

This article discusses the role of language laboratories in foreign language teaching as developed in Germany. Five principal advantages are presented: (1) intensification of learning through active language use, (2) individualization of instruction, (3) objectification of evaluation, (4) improved control for teacher and student, and (5) creation…

This study analyzes Spanish and German errors committed by adult native speakers of English enrolled in elementary and intermediate levels. Four written samples were collected for each target language, over a period of five months. Errors were categorized according to their possible source. Types of errors were ordered according to their…

Communicative competence in a second language is conditioned by the transfer of linguistic, heuristic and interactive aptitudes. A solution to the problems raised by this threefold transfer might be found in the conjunction of psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic insights. A number of pedagogical techniques are suggested in order to show how the…