Discussion of the current student malaise toward foreign literature and reading problems encountered by college students is directed toward means of making college language programs more relevant and of updating teaching methods. Student disinterest is traced to a premature and excessive overexposure to electronic media. The author proposes a…

Four points in first versus second language teaching practices are contrasted: (1) order of mastery of linguistic structures and fluency; (2) ordering of presentation of linguistic structures; (3) teacher's role; (4) order of acquisition of linguistic form and function. Ways to use first language teaching practices in ESL are suggested. (CHK)

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' guidelines for foreign language teaching and learning focus on the linear acquisition of grammatical structures, but this proficiency will not automatically lead to interactional competence. Enthusiasm generated by the proficiency movement should be redirected toward a push for…

Presents the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' provisional generic descriptions for nine levels (novice-low, novice-mid, novice-high, advanced, advanced plus, and superior) in the following areas: (1) speaking, (2) listening, (3) reading, (4) writing, and for six levels in culture. (SED)

Results of a survey sent to 180 undergraduates who had received intensive language instruction (in Mexico) while in high school indicate that study abroad experiences effects attitudes and behavior with regard to language learning and career choices. Survey showed positive change in self-perception; opportunity to gain language fluency; and desire…

This paper describes two Internet-based French language courses that help students acquire fluency in a nontraditional format. The Annenberg/CPB Project's "French in Action Online" was originally offered as a free online adjunct to a television course. The Coastline Community College's French 186AB French Topics Online is a stand-alone…

Asserts that common techniques for the teaching of question formation disregard the speaker's purpose and the situation. Moreover, they are frequently based on transforming written sentences, which does not facilitate oral communication. Suggests criteria for judging question-teaching techniques and provides samples of "good"…

The New Canadian Citizenship Act (1974) differs in several ways from the first. For example, it no longer exempts older long-time residents and spouses from the requirement of having adequate knowledge of one of Canada's official languages. Enrollment in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes will undoubtedly increase. (CFM)

Discusses the relevance for the valid testing of reading of the difference between a 'unitary skill' approach to reading and a multiskills approach. The article produces evidence suggesting that a distinction may be drawn between language-based skills and 'global' reading skills. (55 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses a study of concord phenomena in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. Findings indicate the presence of disfluencies, including apparent corrections, in about 15% of the relevant tokens in the corpus of recorded speech data. It is concluded that speech is not overly laden with errors, and there is nothing in the data to mislead the language…

Assesses the effect of a program of communicative language teaching on foreign-language (FL) acquisition in the United States. The article describes the frustration of FL teachers and students at students' difficulty in reaching senior-level status and suggests that colleges require FL majors to spend a year in an immersion program in countries…

A philosophical and historical reflection on the values of learning a second language explores the stages of language acquisition. Language fluency, second language instruction, and the Western cultural traditions associated with learning a second language are discussed. (CB)

The effectiveness of accuracy-based programs in producing proficient second-language speakers and of proficiency-based programs in producing accurate speakers is debated. It is concluded that ways must be found to combine the advantages of both grammar-based and comprehension-oriented curricula. (Contains 10 references.) (LB)

Discusses the use of improvisational acting exercises as a productive tool for overcoming reticence in English-as-a-Second-Language students. The approach stresses participation rather than accuracy of production. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the use of American films and television programs for teaching English. To develop fluency, teachers must provide students with structured activities and discussion used in combination with the videotaped material. Recommends using viewing sheets that consist of easy, multiple-choice questions that students answer as they watch the…