Chunking, the process of breaking texts into meaningful units, is a fundamental skill in interpreting. This study investigates the potential benefits of a computer-assisted chunking method, visual-syntactic text formatting (VSTF) to improve translators' performance. In the study, three passages with similar readability were randomly presented to…

It is seen that the importance and need for Arabic have been increasing in Turkey in recent years, and the variety and number of programs for the Arabic language in higher education institutions are also increasing. It is noteworthy that the Arabic Language and Literature and Arabic Language Teaching departments, which have a long history, and the…

Transformative learning has been widely used in the field of adult education for over twenty years, but until recently has received little attention in the field of world languages. Drawing on best practices and the research of distinguished international world language experts, this volume provides theoretical and classroom-tested models of…

Son and daughter metaphorical expressions are common in general as well as technical languages. This study explores the similarities and differences between English and Arabic ibn (son) and bint (daughter) expressions, and the difficulties that student-translators have with them. A corpus of English and Arabic general ibn (son) and bint (daughter)…

The renewed national focus on teacher quality and effectiveness has resulted in more rigorous standards that describe the knowledge and skills required of teacher candidates across all disciplines. In the area of foreign languages, three sets of professional standards address the oral proficiency of teachers in the target languages they teach…

The use of video technology has become widespread in the teaching and testing of second-language (L2) listening, yet research into how this technology affects the learning and testing process has lagged. The current study investigated how the channel of input (audiovisual vs. audio-only) used on an L2 listening test affected test-taker…

On 19 May 2010 data on second majors, beginning in 2001, were added to the online database for the degree completions component of the US Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), available on the National Science Foundation's WebCASPAR Web site (https://webcaspar.nsf.gov/). This paper offers selected…

Those in America are confronting a stark alternative: either open themselves to an appreciation of human plurality and the diversity of cultures around the globe or limit themselves to a narrowly normative culture. Will American schools and colleges provide students with opportunities to learn to understand other voices, or will the educational…

In this article, the author considers some of the issues addressed in the 2007 MLA report. The 2007 MLA report argues that the two-tiered literature/language configuration in post-secondary foreign language departments "has outlived its usefulness and needs to evolve," and even needs to be replaced. When proclamations are made that foreign…

Since 1958, the Modern Language Association (MLA), with the continuous support of the United States Department of Education, has gathered and analyzed data on undergraduate and graduate course enrollments in languages other than English in United States colleges and universities. The previous survey examined language enrollments in fall 2006; here…

The College English Test-Spoken English Test is a nationwide spoken English test designed to assess the oral communicative ability of Chinese university and college students who have undertaken compulsory English study at a Chinese university. This article describes the test and evaluates it in terms of reliability, validity, authenticity,…

Discusses opinions toward foreign language (FL) departments on the college campus. Points out that while there is support for the learning of foreign languages, questions arise about whether knowing a language other than English is necessary, even in the climate of globalization and internationalization. Outlines steps for achieving excellence in…

Examines the shift in the role of the college and university language department head from that of colleague and leader to manager, resulting from changing institutional and professional culture. Argues department chairs must read recent research on department leadership, learn about changes in higher education and the faculty's role, and…

Discusses what the college language department needs to communicate to the dean about what it does, including the substance of language, literature, and culture and the disparate teaching demands they create. Focus is on how realistic current staffing patterns are and how they may have to change for language departments to be allocated adequate…

Foreign language department chairs are faced with leadership challenges that require them to mediate between new forces and old practices and between youthful enthusiasm and proven experience. While some changes demanded by current circumstances must be opposed, leaders must choose their battles carefully. Several real examples are explored. (MSE)