This article discusses the importance of vocabulary in second language acquisition (SLA), presents an overview of major strands of research on vocabulary acquisition, and discusses five principles for effective second language (L2) vocabulary instruction based on research findings on lexical input processing. These principles emphasize…

The Languages Review Consultation Report recommends exploiting the potential of communications technology for the enhancement of curricular offerings. Newly developed instructional software is credited with opening doors to the cultures of young people while serving as an infinitely patient and supportive tutor. Thus, in the UK as in the US,…

Globalization is on everyone's tongue, and the discussion is not only limited to economic exchange, but expands to the intermingling of cultural values. To be truly successful in the international arena, whether as an immigrant, student, businessperson, or tourist, openness toward other cultures is vital and the most obvious door to those cultures…

Communication strategies are defined and a brief inventory of strategies for learning and oral interaction in a foreign language instruction setting is provided. Learning strategies are viewed as methods for exploiting available information to increase the efficiency of second language learning. The integration of learning strategies into the…

Concerns raised in 1967 about the state of British research on language teaching and learning are still applicable, including a need (Birmingham, England, February 24-26); see FL 016 092. teaching, and to a lesser extent, a lack of published information on the applications of academic psychology to language teaching. Early initiatives in these…

The comprehension approach to second language education emphasizes acquisition of listening comprehension prior to and as a vehicle for acquisition of other language skills. The following articles on this approach are collected here: (1) "Nonlinear Learning and Language Teaching" (Winitz); (2) "Aital cal aprene las lengas…

Presents and assesses recent studies on the silent period, that is, the period at the beginning of second language instruction when language learners do not speak the target language. Describes a survey of the silent period of primary school children and its consequences for acquisition theory and for language teaching. (SED)

A review of recent research and language acquisition theories indicates a need for new teaching principles for second language instruction. The importance of matching language instruction with developmental processes of language acquisition, and considering the effect of social context, emotional climate, and the nature of the language learning…

Discusses belief that foreign language teachers, with help and cooperation from better language learners, can help less successful students increase their competency. Teachers must take student personality and cognition variables into account. (Author/BK)

The keyword method of foreign vocabulary learning was studied in five experiments. This method proved superior to challenging control conditions when subjects had to produce English responses, given foreign equivalents. In one experiment a hint of facilitated foreign word recall was produced by the keyword method. (Author/RD)

Attitudes toward and approaches to error in language learning depend on one's point of view: strictly linguistic, pedagogical, or that of the learner. This last approach is that "one learns by making mistakes," and from that perspective, there is no absolute definition of error, but only an operative one. (MSE)

Investigates the use of code switching in first-year learners of Danish. Points out that code switching appears as a skill used in early attempts of playing with the languages involved in the conversation. Acknowledges code switching as an increasingly sophisticated language skill even a an early stage of second language acquisition. (Author/VWL)

Outlines key terms and complexities that surround the advocacy of teaching foreign language for intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in a foreign language to courses promoting the acquisition of ICC. Discusses criteria for selecting cultural content and culture-and-language learning tasks, as well as ways to scaffold the ICC learning…

Addresses three major issues related to conscious and unconscious learning: incidental and intentional learning, attention and noticing, and implicit and explicit learning. All three point to the importance of awareness when learning a language. An annotated bibliography is included. (80 references) (LET)

Presents an instructional model, using Kleist's story "Das Erdbeben in Chili" and Christa Wolf's novel Kei Ort. Nirgends" as a basis. The model clearly distinguishes itself from quantitative models and mediates solid literary knowledge through an inductive approach. Learning takes place in a multidimensional space that makes possible multiple…