Simulation activities provide opportunities to focus on the individual's contribution, encourage creativity, and build self-esteem. These activities can help develop social skills and understanding of other cultures by fostering attitudes of tolerance and sensitivity. (Examples of simulations are included.) (SED)

Evaluates John Oller's contribution to a theory of language testing, particularly his provision of detailed empirical work. Argues that Oller's work is of sufficient importance for serious flaws to be noted. Three flaws are discussed in the areas of communication, pragmatics, authenticity, and the unifactorial/one best test approach. (Author/SED)

Discusses the phenomenon of communicative language testing as it emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a reaction against tests constructed of multiple choice items and the perceived overemphasis of reliability. Traces the legacy of the communicative movement from its first formulation, through present conundrums, to tomorrow's research…

Considers the rationale for using a focus on form approach to teaching form as opposed to the more traditional focus on forms approach where linguistic features are treated sequentially. Describes methodological options for attending to form in communication. (Author/VWL)

Examines the Variable Competence (VC) approach to second language acquisition (SLA) by defining what is meant by VC and looking at the variable rules and how they are acquired. The research implications of VC models are examined, presenting arguments for and against their use in applied linguistic research in language testing and SLA. (32…

Explains how the concept of genre is useful for investigating similarities among the types of language produced in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) activities. Analysis shows that apparent differences in the example CALL texts are not significant. Three relevant levels of analysis for CALL activities are described. (Contains 25…

Argues for a discourse approach to teaching communicative functions or speech acts in spoken English. Analyzes the performance of speech acts in a corpus of workplace conversations. Analyses show that speech acts are not usually performed directly and that it is necessary to look beyond the individual utterance to see how particular communicative…

Proposes several guidelines for the communicative exploitation of translation with advanced foreign language learners at the tertiary level and suggests that the communicative basis for the use of translation as a language teaching technique is derived from the communicative nature of translation as a professional activity. (Author/CB)

Discusses an attempt to derive, use, and partially validate (for one area of language use) a theoretical approach to the design of language-use tests, also called "explicit direct testing." (EKN)

Studied communicative outcomes of nonnative speaker interactions and presents a methodological framework for the analysis of different solutions to referential problems encountered in a task. The framework permits identification of what types of participation arrangements might result in more or less beneficial interactions for learners. (Contains…

Focuses on two aspects of contextual engagement in relation to second language learning--communicative contexts and learning contexts. Suggests that learning contexts are flawed in respect to the needs of the initial language learner and they need to be refashioned to enable language learners to exploit contextual cues for intake and take…

Proposes a new type of oral test, based on Grice's Co-operative Principle and its dependent maxims, to measure communicative competence. Describes the design, administration, and scoring of this timed, multiple-choice test and gives sample test materials. Discusses applications to testing languages for special purposes and ways of presenting the…

Reviews recent research into the qualitative and quantitative aspects of fluency to more clearly define the word as a performance descriptor for oral assessment of foreign language learners and as an indicator of progress in language learning. The concept of fluency is confused and multilayered when used in the assessment of oral performance. (22…

An experimental year of oral testing using the language laboratory at Victoria University is described. A new first-year 12-credit course is primarily a language course based on audiovisual/lingual methods. The content, evaluation, and administration of oral expression tests and performance tapes are covered. (SW)

Suggests instructional methods and communication strategies for second language learning which include the students' need to express themselves in non-pedagogic situations. Elements of basic awareness of face-to-face interaction are also presented. (Author/CB)