Few studies have approached second language teaching from a neurolinguistic perspective. An exception is Marcel Danesi's educational construct of neurological bimodality, an attempt to find a neurological foundation for classroom language instruction. The underlying hypothesis is that there is a natural flow of information processing from the…

Discusses the similarities between the approaches of Plank, Daugherty, McKenna, Ingram, and others to the teaching of beginning Russian and that of the natural approach advocated by Krashen. Discusses some of the ways these approaches can be applied to teaching Russian at the intermediate level. (SED)

The ways that children and adults use their limited cognitive processes in comprehending the complex input of a second language are discussed, and an information-processing approach to second-language learning is proposed and supported in a number of areas of second language research. Implications for research and teaching are examined. (MSE)

It is proposed that the concepts of location and goal are helpful instructional tools in Russian, encouraging competence and discouraging incorrect analyses of sentence structure. Minor reorganization of conventional instructional materials and addition of a few sentences for discussion would be of significant assistance in student understanding.…

The cognitive restrictions on the beginning second language learner's capacity to deal with structural diversity and the concomitant developmental regularities of his sentence structure are examined. Learners utilize the formal features of a language, the syntactic categories, as building blocks in organizing the structure of the language. (PMJ)

Investigates ways speakers manage problems and overcome difficulties in second language (L2) communication. Distinguishes four main sources of L2 communication problems; resource deficits; processing time pressure; perceived deficiencies in one's own language output; and perceived deficiencies in interlocutors performance. Adopts a…

Investigates the relative effect of two types of explicit grammar instruction on learners' ability to interpret and produce sentences containing the French causative. Indicates processing instruction is as effective as traditional instruction in enabling learners to interpret the French causative; traditional instruction is more effective in…

Examined the performance of bilingual Russian-English speakers and monolingual English speakers during auditory processing of competing lexical items using eye tracking. Results revealed that both bilinguals and monolinguals experienced competition from English lexical items overlapping phonetically with an English target item. (VWL)

Explores the relevance and usefulness of a new paradigm, variously named connectionism or parallel distributed processing, involving the application of the computer sciences, to the teaching of foreign languages. (53 references) (CB)

Computer-assisted language instruction incorporating artificial intelligence (CALI-AI) is based on the assumption that human cognitive abilities can be reproduced by mechanical means. The major components of CALI-AI are: 1) natural language processing; 2) problem solving; 3) language learning; and 4) modeling teacher behavior. Language teachers…

Drawing on research on memory and on the effectiveness of pairing first-language dialogue with second-language script, and through analysis of the language processing occurring in the translation process, it is argued that translation may be an effective technique for second language instruction. (12 references) (MSE)

Illustrates through the concept of causality how thinking and language are connected. Suggests that an approach to instruction that understands the foreign or second language as a medium of learning provides a deeper vision of the processes of language as a medium of learning. (Author/VWL)

In response to a published study of second-language input processing and processing instruction, a relatively new concept in language teaching, misinterpretations of theoretical and conceptual issues are pointed out and methodological concerns about the study are discussed. (MSE)

Outlines a framework for academic language learning that highlights the importance of focusing instructionally on meaning, language, and use. Reviews research that suggests that to develop students' academic language proficiency in bilingual or trilingual contexts, instruction must focus extensively on the processing of comprehensible input.…

Suggests that foreign language learners will achieve a higher level of language if they are made aware of--and given the opportunity to manipulate--extralinguistic variables with regard to the texts they study. Teaching materials (e.g., textbook dialogues, audiotaped or videotaped texts) should include the context-based information necessary for…