Students find place names--and their origins--interesting. A number of German examples are given, ranging from the Familiar Koeln (Colonia) and Koblenz (Confluentes) to the less familiar Wien ( Celtic vindos, "white water") and Weimar (wihmari, sacred swamp). (WGA)

Reference to the native tongue is considered necessary in FL teaching. Differences and congruence of meaning in the two languages are examined with respect to their help or hindrance in language learning. Using examples, the problems of inferring the meaning of the foreign word are examined. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

The fifteenth in a series of workbook lessons, this consists of a passage in Spanish concerning the Spanish city of Avila. Following are exercises on vocabulary and passives in English and Spanish to be completed by the student. (Text is in English and Spanish.) (CK)

A study conducted in a Canadian secondary school found that students with a larger inventory of native English vocabulary were better able to recognize cognates in French language instruction. (MLA)

Discusses two recent Russian books designed to aid students in understanding Russian word compounding. The bulk of the article consists of examples from these books. (Text is in German and Russian.) (FB)

Discusses the importance of an understanding of word compounding for the student of Russian and presents excerpts from a new Russian book which is considered especially helpful for students having difficulties in this area of Russian grammar. (Text is in German and Russian.) (FB)

Offers a systematic statement of the lexical differences between "noch" and "schon," which should serve teachers better than their intuitive feelings for those words. (IFS/WGA)

Discusses French words that are spelled alike but have different pronunciations. In spite of existing rules of pronunciation, the prevailing spoken usage is to be taken as correct. "Reform" is seen as unlikely. The correct information must be found and taught bit by bit. (Text is in French.) (IFS/WGA)

Discusses, using examples, problems raised by differences in meaning between "equivalent" Russian and German words. Calls for clear definitions of Russian basic vocabulary words. (Text is in German and Russian.) (IFS/WGA)

Lists the Spanish verbs most frequently used in various texts, in order of frequency. (NCR)

Proposes a method for teaching vocabulary in the second language classroom, which associates one word (an "identification term") with a string of semantically-related synonyms. (AM)