In many English language teaching contexts, listening activities resemble listening comprehension tests. Scholars have argued that this product-oriented approach is not particularly effective in helping learners improve their listening skills and have advocated for the inclusion of instruction that targets specific features of spoken language. The…

A study compared four tests of English as a Second Language (ESL) used for placement of students of varying language backgrounds and skill levels in an intensive ESL program. The tests were a text-based listening and reading test, a listening dictation, a self-assessment questionnaire, and a self-reported vocabulary size test. All measures were…

This report presents detailed, nonevaluative descriptions of instructional methods used in a sample of outstanding language training centers. Together these 19 different training programs represent a student age range from subteen to adult. Included are both intensive and nonintensive, military and civilian, and governmental and nongovernmental…