Describes how the mini-saga, which has exactly 50 words, can be used effectively in the English-as-a-Foreign-Language class in a variety of ways. The mini-sage can be used with children, as well as with adult beginners. (Author/VWL)

Presents the advantages of using newspapers stored on CD-ROM as a resource for teaching current topics in civilization/culture and current affairs in the foreign- language class. Articles on CD-ROM can be used for vocabulary exercises and comprehension tests, and on-screen text can be altered as desired to create classroom activities. (four…

Highlights ways of channelling students' passion for English music through motivating second-language activities. The article presents useful class activities involving introducing songs in the second-language classroom. As culture capsules, songs offer insights into the second culture and contextualize new language information. (10 references)…

Advancements in the design and use of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) activities require that key questions about CALL be identified and effective research methods be used to answer them. This article suggests looking to research on other types of second-language (L2) classroom activities for guidance in framing CALL research questions…

Discusses how warm-up activities can help to make the English-as-a-foreign-language classroom a lively and interesting place. Warm-up activities are games carried out at the beginning of each class to motivate students to make good use of class time. (Author/VWL)

Presents a case study of vocabulary learning in Japanese for five students under different instructional conditions. Examines whether output activities facilitated the retention of words more effectively than input-dominant activities, which require students to comprehend questions involving target words but do not encourage them to use the words…

The integrated-skills approach (ISA), which incorporates the four language skills--reading, writing, speaking, and listening--has become a dominant trend in FL college instruction in Taiwan. The purpose of the study was to examine how the ISA is being used in Taiwan's EFL college classes, develop an understanding of students' satisfaction with the…

This study investigated the responses of two groups (n = 85) of EFL learners toward their experience with extensive reading in a three-month EFL college reading class in which two novels (narrative) and fourteen expository texts were the main reading text. Using a three-part survey questionnaire and the follow-up interviews, this study attempted…

This paper discusses culture-specific learning strategies of 177 students learning Greek as a second/foreign language in an academic setting. The study reports on descriptive statistics of the data collected through implementation of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) and processed in order to determine frequency of learners'…

CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) is a term widely used in Europe to refer to different forms of content based education, often conducted in English. Earlier research on CLIL has tended to focus on matters of language learning or content mastery rather than on details of classroom interaction. This paper investigates how English is…

Second language reading is a vital skill that aids the communication process. It provides language input and reinforces spoken language. Because the modern world is print-oriented, foreign language and English-as-a-Second-Language learners need to develop reading skills as rapidly as possible. Reading must be taught rather than acquired passively.…

Describes an experiment at Birkbeck College, University of London, designed to encourage the spontaneous, uninhibited use of French by students. (PMP)

This is an excerpt from a course for advanced students, designed to teach proficiency in English composition by providing activities specifically geared to the elimination of native language interference. (LG)

This paper discusses common objections to the use of small group activities in the second language classroom; advantages which outweigh these objections; and guidelines for successful implementation of these activities. Prototype small group activities are outlined in two sections. The first lists activities according to skills focus, including…