An intensive Russian language program emphasized listening comprehension before developing reading and speaking skills. Task performance verified comprehension in early stages. Program results included minimizing task overloading, increased student motivation. (CHK)

This article argues for the use of a cooperative listening technique and describes the steps involved in using this approach. The author describes a five-step procedure for teaching listening strategies, and then uses his own experience to show how this approach can help learners develop listening comprehension. The author also discusses his…

A self-instructional technique for developing listening fluency in foreign language laboratories is reported. (RM)

The field manual for a series of coordinated studies of the spontaneous acquisition of a second language by adult immigrant workers provides a theoretical and practical framework for the entire project and a source of information about it for other researchers. Chapters 1 and 2 describe the project's objectives and organization. Chapter 3 reviews…

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…

In order to learn to read successfully in a foreign language, students must first have well-developed auditory and visual skills. Students can be made to recognize the importance of attention to detail by means of frequent copying exercises. Translation must be avoided if real reading skills are to develop. The teacher should insist that the…

Reviews some technological advances and classroom games which may be used to increase listening comprehension skills in the foreign language classroom. These include the Random Access Memory (RAM), the Sens-it-Cell, and the SCUCHO game. (AM)

An experiment in second language reading comprehension tested the hypothesis that similar surface and deep structures in L1 and L2 imply a similar means of passing from surface to deep structure. Dutch learners of French were the subjects. (CHK)

Describes several teaching techniques designed to develop students' verbal and reading skills in French. The aim is for practical skills of communication and reading rather than technical grammar. (CHK)

Various ways to use foreign language radio broadcasts in comprehension practice, speaking practice, and written work are outlined. BBC and other broadcasts in several languages are listed and annotated as to age level and topics. (CHK)

A test of paralinguistic features of English that can be observed by listening is recommended for testing listening comprehension, especially at the advanced level, in students of English as a second language. (MSE)

Looks at the findings from studies in educational broadcasting and communication research for data on the effectiveness of video in second language acquisition and foreign language teaching. This study identifies findings which have a bearing on the comprehensibility of video and the relationship between aural and visual channels. (Author/SED)

The study reported here assessed the contribution of short-term memory to differences in standardized listening scores for each of five types of auditory input. Memory for syntactically arranged words proved to be the best predictor of listening skill in this battery of tests. (SED)

Discusses contemporary theory on the comprehension process in first language reading research and psychology. Examines beliefs, materials, and classroom behaviors which have been under recent discussion and applies the theory of comprehension--that comprehension is the process of relating incoming or new information to information already stored…

Presents an abbreviated version of a large scale investigation of second language attrition covering 50 years. Results yield benefits to teachers and students of foreign languages by leading to an understanding of how various procedures of acquisition affect the rate of loss and ultimately minimize the potential for later attrition. (SL)