The extent to which learners conform to the structure, aims and linguistic demands of a task is often seen as the responsibility of the materials writer and/or teacher. Given a logical rubric, well-designed task and clear classroom instructions, it is often assumed that the task will be approached as intended. When a task is enacted differently,…

This study explores the centrality of the technology integration to Chinese EFL students' experiences in College English instruction. Students involved in this qualitative and quantitative study described the effectiveness of Web-based instructional environments (WBIEs) facilitated by the WebNing course management systems. Sources that were used…

It is argued in this article that user actions need to be monitored to understand what has happened during the learning process. Monitoring on its own is not enough; user actions also need to be controlled to some degree so that users can receive the guidance they need to help them to the successful completion of the learning tasks in CALL…

This paper suggests that research in applied linguistics in Great Britain has recently had little impact on the learning and teaching of foreign languages and that new priorities for relevant research in second language learning and teaching need to be proposed. The objective of the new research would be to ensure that language skills be available…

An integrative process combining language instruction with cultural education is described and discussed. The process is integrative in two ways because it relates target and native languages, cultures, and perceptions, and also relates the teaching of culture to the teaching of language. This approach incorporates eight stages; the first five are…

It is suggested, based on research findings on learner strategies, that second language curriculum planners and teachers can and should provide students with opportunities to refine their learning skills. This can be accomplished by expanding their repertoire of learning strategies and refining their awareness of aspects of language learning. A…

An interdisciplinary experiment to develop materials for computer-assisted French instruction at the University of Grenoble is described and the process of translating objectives and strategies into exercises relying on student-machine interaction is chronicled. Three approaches were used: student response using stated rules, recognition…

Although role playing is a well-established and useful method of second language instruction, its success is often undermined by assignment of roles alien to the students' needs and experience. Redefinition of role playing to include the roles an individual assumes in everyday life will help the teacher plan more appropriate activities. (MSE)

Five assumptions about the nature of verbal communication are discussed in relation to the communicative needs of second-language learners: that communication is meaning-based, conventional, appropriate, interactional, and structured. Implications for foreign-language teaching are examined. (Author/MSE)

Draws upon recent publications dealing with brain function (particularly F. Vester, "Denken, Lernen, Vergessen", Munich, 1978) for ideas for foreign language teaching. These include constant use of the foreign language in the classroom, frequent repetition, and avoidance of false associations by explanation in the native language.…

Three studies of the development of gender competence in elementary and intermediate level learners of French as a second language are reported. The findings support an emerging rule-governed process of gender assignment related to the learner's development of skill with the language's underlying phonological system. (11 references) (MSE)

Provides overview of issues associated with second-language learning strategies, examines research findings outside of the field of language instruction, and explores implications of current research both in terms of instruction and future research needs. (55 references) (LET)

Synthesizes research on nine individual-difference factors that influence success in learning a second language and offers instructional implications for each. The nine factors include aptitude, motivation, anxiety, self-esteem, tolerance of ambiguity, risk taking, language learning styles, age, and gender. (72 references) (LET)

Describes an action research project on English-as-a-Second-Language literacy evaluation and assessment and presents an evaluation grid as one means of quantifying qualitative information through attentive listening and observation. The grid provides a tangible piece of a holistic approach to practitioner-based research into how learners learn and…

Analyses of sentence combination data from 33 adult learners of English as a Second Language instructed in sentence combination tasks yielded inconclusive results as to whether implicational generalization (IG) is unidirectional to hierarchy levels implicated by the instructed level. The results suggest that IG is clearly not uniformly maximal to…