This paper investigates a case of designing, implementing, and evaluating a semester-long culture portfolio project in a Korean culture class in an American university setting. The paper addresses the following four issues: (1) How does the project help the students gain insights into a particular aspect of Korean culture and encourage them to…

This study explored the affective factors influencing students' learning of Catalan across different year levels in a multilingual school community in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). Questionnaires were distributed to 176 students, from 12 to 17 years of age, registered in a public secondary school, the majority of whom were not born in Catalonia.…

Recent trends in classroom evaluation seek innovative formative assessment intended to benefit learning, called assessment for learning (AFL), largely unresearched in the second language (L2) classroom (Rea-Dickins, 2004). This paper calls for taking L2 testing research to the next level, investigating the "usefulness" (Bachman & Palmer, 1996;…

This paper describes a pilot questionnaire study conducted with a class of Year 9 beginners in German in a comprehensive school, which set out to elicit information on learners' beliefs about speaking a foreign language, including their awareness of strategies. Findings revealed that most pupils showed knowledge of a range of cognitive, social and…

The study reported in this paper explores issues of motivation and learners' identity in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing classroom in Vietnam from the perspectives of the learners. It was conducted with thirty English-major students at a university in central Vietnam. While relevant literature appears to place much emphasis on…

This research, using questionnaire and interview data, examined practices and challenges of educators in areas of southern Ontario in fostering immigrant parents' support for their children's literacy. Results showed that teachers learn about the language and culture of their students, modify homework assigned to their ESL students, and encourage…

The field of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) has transformed dramatically--from the days of the behaviourist approach that dominated CALL in the 1970s to the dynamism of Interactive approach in the 1990s under the immense influence of information communication technology (ICT). Regardless of these periodic changes and improvements,…

Discusses spontaneous playback, an involuntary, sometimes insistent mental "replay" of the second language being studied. A survey of 160 second-language students determined that playback is not limited to a small number of language-oriented people but is in fact a widespread phenomenon. (SED)

Examines responses given on a survey questionnaire of elementary college German students' backgrounds, reasons for studying German, and perceived stereotypes of Germans. Argues that a list of ethnic stereotypes resulting from this study would be a good teaching aid and starting point for class discussion. (EKN)

Motivation is probably the most important single factor in successful language learning. Provided the student feels he can use the knowledge gained in the course, his motivation will probably sustain him. Thus, student course evaluations are important. A questionnaire that was distributed to students to gain such an evaluation is described.…

Presents an analysis of the various concerns that must be addressed in modern language syllabus design. A questionnaire on students' communicative needs is included. An attempt is made to differentiate among different syllabus forms. (AM)

A school survey sought to determine high school students' interest in learning about French Canadians and Canadian French, as opposed to learning about France and so-called "Parisian French." (AM)

Presents a study of four learners of French as a foreign language at the Open University (United Kingdom) interacting within three task frameworks. Defines a pedagogy prioritizing reflective interaction; investigates whether reflective interaction is more likely to arise from some task types than others; and relates a content analysis of learner…

Reports on an investigation into the motivation of secondary school students in southwest England to learn foreign languages. Surveys students (n=228) in years 7, 8, and 9 to examine student responses on constructs (n=16) related to motivation based on a questionnaire and interviews. (BT)