Examines whether raters distinguish writing expertise and second-language proficiency while evaluating ESL compositions. Multivariate analysis indicated that both expert and novice teachers distinguished between these skills. Descriptive analysis revealed 28 common decision-making behaviors that varied significantly with the teacher's level of…

A study of the relationships between intermediate English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students' reading and writing of both persuasive and descriptive texts found very complex effects involving such previously unresearched areas as differences among genres, student proficiency levels, student academic levels, and measurement instruments. (33…

This article describes how a course viewing East German literature from the perspective of the new Germany can be planned and taught, with special attention to text selection, class activities, and testing strategies designed to raise linguistic proficiency of students of different language levels in one literature class. (Author/AB)

The Woodcock Reading Mastery Test-Revised (WRMT-R) is advertised as usable with English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students (with provisions to ensure students' understanding of instructions). This articles describes new features of the WRMT-R and examines criticisms of it since its debut in 1973. (SM)

Investigates in the refugee/immigrant population in the open-admissions college at the University of Minnesota, the relationship between educational background in the native language and second language, English language proficiency as measured by a standardized language-proficiency test, length of residency in the United States, and academic…

Outlines some of the problem areas described by researchers when designing a test of oral production for beginning-level speakers of English, and suggests ways in which these areas may be addressed. (Author/VWL)

This study follows up on a study of the issue of second-language (L2) inner speech as it manifests in mental rehearsal among advanced L2 learners. The purpose of the study was to find out to what extent advanced L2 learners experience inner speech as mental rehearsal and to identify characteristics and functions of such inner speech. (Author/VWL)

This study investigated the role of several sociocultural variables involved in the acculturation process and their relationship to second-language learning and well-being. A causal modeling analysis indicated that an assimilation mode of acculturation was positively related to self-rated English proficiency and preference for responding to the…

Examined increased use of French as a medium of instruction in an early French program in the intermediate school years. Interim results reveal limited evidence for benefits of intensified French for French literacy, constrained evidence of risks associated with French intensification in the domain of English reading, and no evidence of a…

Reflects on the configuration of methods--personal language-learning history, journals, video observations, interviews, and pre/post-language proficiency tests--used to explore the experiences of 23 French second-language learners as they worked independently with an interactive-video program. (Author/VWL)

Presents results from ongoing research about non-adapted language switches, highlighting a longitudinal study of an adult learner of third-language (L3) Swedish with first-language (L1) English and second-language (L2) German. The study is based on 844 non-adapted language switches. Researchers identified four types of switches. Results indicated…

Focuses on the acquisition of sociolinguistic competence by second language learners during a period of study abroad. Various aspects of sociolinguistic competence are discussed and some of the principal factors that affect it are described. (Author/VWL)

A study analyzed the syllable structure of Canadian French as perceived by native (L1) and second-language (L2) speakers using forced-choice lexical division. Results indicate that although L2 learners acquire L2 syllable structures, their perception of syllable division is influenced by L1 structures, and L2-learners' syllable division approaches…

Discusses the Graded Objectives for Adults Learning (GOLF) Russian program. The aim of the GOLF program is to have four levels, with Level Four being considered equivalent to a good GCSE pass, at which stage students will have a good working knowledge of the language and a wide vocabulary. (CK)

Reviews various strategies for addressing language needs in teacher development courses, ranging from providing separate language provision to incorporating language development within the methodology component of the course. Discusses how transcripts can be used to develop awareness of and promote practice in the language used for various…