This article examines the effects of test format and task type on candidate output in direct and semidirect versions of the oral interaction subtest of the Australian Assessment of Communicative English Skills. Results are discussed in relation to the degree of interactiveness and other factors that appear to influence lexical density and to the…

Compares the self-assessments of French proficiency made by approximately 500 grade 8 students in 2 different French immersion programs (early and middle) in Toronto, Canada. (38 references) (VWL)

This report discusses a study on the use of modern media techniques in long-distance oral testing that preserve the possibility of interaction by using video teleconferencing. Two test administration modes, face-to-face and screen-to-screen, are compared in an experimental design. (10 references) (VWL)

A study of the use of the student monitor sheet, which indicates suggested correct answers in communicative paired and group foreign language learning activities, found that the sheet helps students to communicate more effectively, creates a more lively and relaxed learning atmosphere, and increases student confidence. (four references) (Author/CB)

Discusses how native speakers of Spanish, accustomed to dealing with nonnative Spanish speakers, evaluated 18 taped nonnative speech samples that provided a wide sample of pronunciation. Comprehensibility, voice agreeability/ disagreeability, and nativeness of accent were rated. (32 references) (LB)

Based on a comprehensive language proficiency assessment project, this article reports on a four-level scale that assesses literary interpretation. The notional components are sequenced from the specific and concrete to the general and abstract, with focus on literary components that can be used to interpret any work. (Author/LB)

Nonnative and native speakers of a language vary in their knowledge and control of the elements of communicative competence. This article introduces an interpretation of Coseriu's neo-Saussurean model that takes into account universal, language-specific, and culture-specific factors and illuminates the teacher's task. (45 references) (Author/LB)

Reports on levels of foreign language education and foreign language competence among Dutch students, discussing the sharp decline in the teaching of French and German, a lack of foreign language training in technical education, where it is most needed, and the limitations of the data collected regarding foreign language attainment in the…

Discusses the interactions between different ethnic groups in the former Soviet Union and the factors that may affect their migration decisions. The reluctance of Russian speakers to learn the languages of the peoples amongst whom they have lived has left them vulnerable in nation states where knowledge of the national language is required. (VWL)

This study examined the language anxiety level felt during 3 stages in the second-language acquisition process (input, processing, and output) among 97 college students learning French as a Second Language. It found that language anxiety and language proficiency were strongly related in each of the stages. (37 references) (MDM)

A brief review of research on native language production precedes a critical discussion of recent second-language production research, focusing on native language research applications to second-language research, the relationship between second-language learning and production, and the various methodologies used to study such production. (190…

Investigations of Japanese speakers' interlanguage constructions of English existential sentences with a locative sentential topic found a general shift from topic-comment to subject-predicate structures as proficiency increased. (24 references) (Author/CB)

Presents a model for evaluating culturally and linguistically different students to determine whether a learning problem is being created or exacerbated by sociocultural variables or a handicapping condition. The model presented allows examiners to put into practice an assessment procedure that uses a more holistic approach, incorporates informal…

A case is made for preventing the fossilization of proficiency levels for second-language students through the development of better instructional models, decreased acceptance and increased correction of inaccurate speech production, increased development of instructors as native speakers, and more research into the fossilization problem and its…

The group discussion test has gained prominence as a measure of oral interaction skills in second-language learning. This article reviews test types and administration, the communicative nature of the test, development of criteria and rating scales, and advantages. A sample rating scale is appended. (Contains 15 references.) (LB)