Instructional television via videotape can be a good source of assistance in alleviating comprehension problems that occur when foreign languages are taught by the audiolingual method. Television can be used in language instruction in two ways: demonstrations to the student or demonstrations by the student. Demonstrations to the student can…

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)

A description of an experiment testing the effectiveness of three types of language laboratory equipment: Type A is an instant playback of the student's response; type B an instant playback of both recorded material and responses; and the third, long delay playback. Type A was found to be most effective. (AMH)

A set of language laboratory materials currently being tested in eight Scottish universities is described. The aim of the completely self-taught course is to increase the student's exposure to the language as a whole. The unity of each tape is based on the communicative function of the introductory text. (AMH)

Maintains that the language laboratory is the best way to aid language students in developing linguistic competence. The laboratory equipment needed is described and a pedagogical program for its effective use is outlined. (Text is in Italian.) (CFM)

This is account of a foreign language curriculum developed by the Norwalk Public School System in Connecticut. It emphasizes bilingual interchanges between students of various ethnic backgrounds and a classroom setting that uses tape equipment to personalize basic linguistic concepts. (Editor/RK)

This digest highlights non-Internet technology for teaching and learning foreign languages. Specific sections discuss (1) software for language teaching and learning; (2) authoring aids; (3) language lab systems; (3) networked multimedia; and (4) distance learning via satellite. (Contains 7 references and a list of 17 resources for further…

Using a new self-instruction approach'' and tapes from government sources, a college can now afford to offer courses in nearly every foreign language.'' (Editor/SP)

Starting from the premise that the assessment of second language learners' competence is a must at several points during the learning process, discusses the usefulness of laboratory testing. Argues that it allows for standardized testing, facility of test administration, easy scoring, objective measures, reliability and validity of results. (MES)

Presents guidelines for the preparation of language teachers planning to use a language laboratory. (AM)

Two small-scale studies of foreign language test validity are reviewed. The teacher variable is found to be the great threat to test validity, even when grammatical material is presented in the language laboratory. Suggestions for compensating for teacher influence are offered. (JB)

Listening comprehension exercises in second language instruction are expected to: (1) increase students' efficiency at message extraction, and (2) lead to assimilation of new vocabulary and expressions. Data from a small experiment using such exercises illustrate the distinctions drawn and the limitations. (CHK)