A presentation of a study and evaluation of a late-immersion French program in British Columbia. Grade Ten students took one semenster in which French was the only language of instruction. Proficiency of these students increased significantly. The findings, along with previous research, suggest that late immersion is a feasible option. (AMH)

A description of an experiment testing the effectiveness of three types of language laboratory equipment: Type A is an instant playback of the student's response; type B an instant playback of both recorded material and responses; and the third, long delay playback. Type A was found to be most effective. (AMH)

A set of language laboratory materials currently being tested in eight Scottish universities is described. The aim of the completely self-taught course is to increase the student's exposure to the language as a whole. The unity of each tape is based on the communicative function of the introductory text. (AMH)

Maintains that the language laboratory is the best way to aid language students in developing linguistic competence. The laboratory equipment needed is described and a pedagogical program for its effective use is outlined. (Text is in Italian.) (CFM)

Students of French are now more fluent orally than their counterparts of a few years ago. They are using, however, a more anglicized French. The causes are three: (1) unawareness of the value of words; (2) infrequent use of reference material, specifically the dictionary; (3) lack of adequate knowledge of basic rules. (CFM)

Reviews the development over the past ten years of a postgraduate course for translators and interpreters offered by the School of Modern Languages at the University of Bath in England. (CLK)

Opportunities for foreign language Ph.D.'s in business are discussed. (CHK)

The issues confronting Australian tertiary institutions in the assessment of non-English-speaking-background students are discussed. A survey of tertiary institutions that identified test instruments currently being used is described and some of these test instruments (SST and CULT tests) are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Discusses what learning conditions promote memory stamina. Reviews study findings which suggested that spacing of practice during rote learning of a foreign language vocabulary can produce lasting memories. (ML)

Discusses the problem of measuring the validity of interview ratings in the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI), proposes frameworks to distinguish abilities from testing methods, and considers factors affecting test performance. Suggestions for research and development on the ACTFL OPI…

Discusses the ACTFL/ETS Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in relation to current models of communicative skills and argues that the OPI fails to measure important aspects of communicative ability. Two Situation Tests, one written and one oral, are described as alternative measures of communicative ability. Examples are given in Appendices.…

Suggests instructional methods and communication strategies for second language learning which include the students' need to express themselves in non-pedagogic situations. Elements of basic awareness of face-to-face interaction are also presented. (Author/CB)

Analysis of language research and observation of two language classes suggest that, when teachers devote efforts to promoting students' encounters with and use of natural language, students will have the opportunity not only to learn about language, but also to arrive at proficiency in its use. (CB)

Discusses current literature dealing with the pedagogical implications of the ACTFL Provisional Proficiency Guidelines. The argument that grammatical accuracy needs to be stressed from the beginning of instruction is reviewed in the light of second language acquisition research, and it is suggested that such emphasis on grammatical correctness is…

Describes a study which examined the reliability, validity, and scalability of a new technique for constructing, administering, and scoring dictation tests to measure second language proficiency. Findings indicate that such tests can be constructed easily by dividing a coherent text into segments of increasing length. (SED)