Describes an activity for use in the conversational English-as-a-foreign-language classroom. The activity involves having each student say one or two sentences that continues a story being made up as the activity goes along. Students were positive about the activity, because saying only one or two sentences helped them not to feel pressured or…

This research project investigated the role of the literary text in intermediate reading instruction in an attempt to address the question of how instructors can integrate literary selections into all levels of language instruction. Specifically, the study examined one particular classroom environment and explored its relationship to our present…

This paper explored the adult student opinions on four types of English classroom activities (language learning; language acquisition; information convey; role play) and the relationship between the fondness degrees and their personality, test performance and motivation. It turned out that the majority of students ranked all classroom activities a…

The importance of training second language learners in the patterns of occurrence of certain phonemes is discussed, focusing on the use of spelling as a primary predictor of pronunciation. Four different pronunciations of "ng" in English (as in "engaging, singer, changing, dangle") are used to illustrate this principle. A review of pronunciation…

In second language instruction, it is important to examine the learner's effort in carrying out classroom activities in order to relate teaching activities to learning theories. Any impact of a teaching activity on the learner's language development must result from what the learner does, not what the teacher does or intends for learner to do. The…

A discussion of the task-based approach to second language learning looks at different interpretations of "task" and defines it in terms of two basic dimensions: (1) degree of learner involvement in purposeful work, and (2) a continuum from focus on linguistic form to focus on message. It is proposed that these dimensions can be understood better…

John Dewey High School has initiated a program which hopes to compensate for a lack of interesting and relevant materials in Italian instruction. Programs such as independent study and open classroom, which emphasize active participation and individual needs, and which serve to broaden the ordinary classroom experience are described. (AM)

A modified Natural Approach was applied to the instruction of a beginning business Spanish course in which students are assumed to have had at least one year of Spanish instruction. In the Natural Approach, three stages of language acquisition are hypothesized: comprehension (pre-production), early speech (one- and two-word responses), and speech…

Five card games for use in beginning to advanced level Chinese language classrooms or outside the classroom are described. The games require a flat playing surface, the prescribed deck of cards, and three to five students. Instructor supervision is minimal for all but one of the games, and all provide healthy competition and fun with a purpose.…

This book on the theory and practice of language teaching and learning develops the argument that learning a language depends on "what goes on inside and between the people in the classroom." The material is presented in three parts. Part 1 is a nontechnical account of how teacher and students interact, and of how the mind deals with foreign…

An examination of various Italian textbooks shows that the element of fun is absent from the process of learning. There is too much emphasis on dull exercises emphasizing morphology and syntax. Textbooks can be improved through the imaginative intervention of the teacher. Games that will recall and/or expand the vocabulary of a given lesson and…

Reports on using amateur theatricals in fifth-grade English classes as a motivating device. The project developed into a "show," which was performed publicly. Practical problems are discussed. The project is evaluated and suggestions are offered for other teachers. (IFS/WGA)

A brief discussion of language-teaching games is provided that includes suggestions for further research and a description of the game "Happy Face." (HP)

Every class hour should include conversation as an integral feature or as a ten-minute break. Suggestions are offered, such as guessing games, calling for free association, and detective games with typical questions from police hearings. The teacher should give only minimal help and not constantly correct the students. (IFS/WGA)

Describes a teaching game for drilling on the imperative and the progressive tenses. Some variations of the game are described. (IFS/WGA)