A study was carried out to assess the French language proficiency of kindergarten students enrolled in a French early immersion program and two "classes d'accueil," that is, a special program for non-French speaking immigrant children. The particular focus of the study was to investigate whether the level of proficiency in French is…

The effect of ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching techniques on student learning was investigated. A group of 18 ESL teachers and their classes were observed across four lessons having a similar content. Students were pre- and post-tested over a six-month period in two measures of language performance: oral comprehension and production.…

This paper discusses the kinds of vocabulary items retained by a group of native German speakers in the context of an English language proficiency examination. Its main purpose is to indicate the kind of information that can be gathered using cloze procedures, with the aim to integrate this information into further learning strategies for the…

This is a report on a project established to develop a "common yardstick" to describe performance in one or more language skills. Descriptive scales for oral interaction were prepared as well as a general outline of scale characteristics for listening comprehension and reading. Experts in the field reviewed the project proposal and recommendations…

This guide discusses material selection criteria for those who teach English reading skills to adult non-English speakers. It is argued that in order to achieve a grasp of meaning in a second language, the student must have some experience with the culture from which that meaning arises. For the selection of material, a checklist of American…

Recent studies in productive phonology among immigrants have supported the case for the existence of a critical or sensitive period in language acquisition. The present study proposes that the case for a sensitive period would be further strengthened by the discovery of comparable age effects for other linguistic abilities such as listening…

These notes are designed to accompany a series of 10 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) television programs intended to give persons already familiar with French, an insight into aspects of contemporary Francophone societies. The programs revolve around various themes: (1) numbers and letters; (2) words and meanings; (3) eating patterns; (4)…

Two tests were administered to 87 students at the third through fifth levels of English as a second language (with emphasis on scientific education) at the Center for the Teaching of Foreign Languages of the Autonomous Metropolitan University. Test I consisted of 25 multiple choice and true/false reading comprehension questions based on a…

The lessons in this workbook are intended to supplement existing taped materials in the French Basic Course. Emphasis is placed on creative activities, realistic situations, and authentic speech variations. The materials can be used for self-study purposes as well as in a language laboratory under the guidance of an instructor. The units in this…

A resource kit is presented for the teaching of listening comprehension and colloquial usage in French at the advanced secondary level. The kit is represented by a teacher's guide, a student handbook entitled "Idees et personalites," and a set of transcripts of taped interviews. In the interviews, two young French Canadians discuss their…

A resource kit for the teaching of French at the intermediate level is represented by a teacher's guide and the duplicating master for a tape transcript. The aim of this module is to make the elementary or secondary school student of French familiar with basic hockey terms in French, and to enable the student to understand hockey games broadcast…

This volume of 31 readings of five to ten pages each is intended as a supplement to the advanced level of "Albanian: Basic Course." The readings were selected to include formal, informal, and functional language. The material is intended as the basis of both homework assignments and classroom exercises. (JB)

COURSE CONTENT AND TEACHING METHODS FOR FIRST- THROUGH FOURTH-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL LATIN COURSES ARE OUTLINED. FIRST YEAR PROCEDURE INCLUDES A PATTERN DRILL, INTERPRETIVE READING BY THE TEACHER, STUDENT READING, STORY SUMMARY BY THE TEACHER IN WORDS THE STUDENTS ALREADY KNOW, AND FUNCTIONAL QUESTIONS TO TEST COMPREHENSION. GRAMMAR QUESTIONS ARE ASKED…

SIX ACHIEVEMENT TESTS IN DIFFERENT SUBJECT AREAS THAT WERE ADMINISTERED TO COLLEGE FRESHMEN RESULTED IN BETTER PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS WITH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE BACKGROUND. DESPITE VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS OFFERED (INTELLIGENCE, MOTIVATION), THE SUPERIORITY PERSISTS WHEN COMPARISON IS MADE WITH CITY HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTS, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, OR HONOR…

This is the first half of a two-part study of psychopedagogical problems in the language laboratory. A study of technical problems will follow. Major attention is directed to divisions of work (unities, elements, and phases), deferred comparison, deferred master control, audio-active feedback, the acquisition of new auditive processes, elimination…