IF AN EFFORT WERE MADE TO HAVE STUDENTS CONTINUALLY HEAR AND PRODUCE THE LANGUAGE BEING STUDIED IN A FAIRLY REALISTIC WAY FROM THE BEGINNING, THEY WOULD BE MORE MOTIVATED TO LEARN AND WOULD MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM THE CLASSROOM TO PRACTICAL SITUATIONS AND MORE ADVANCED STUDY MORE EASILY. THE TRADITIONAL KINDS OF STRUCTURE DRILLS INCORPORATED IN…

The author reviews some recent theories, experiments, and observations in psychology and psycholinguistics which challenge the basic assumptions of the audio-lingual method of foreign language teaching: Language learning is habit formation, requiring analogy rather than analysis; meaning can be learned only in the matrix of allusions to the…

ALL ORAL LANGUAGE DRILLS MAY BE SEPARATED INTO TWO TYPES--(1) MIM-MEM OR MIMICRY MEMORIZATION DRILLS OR (2) PATTERN PRACTICE DRILLS. THESE TWO LARGER CATEGORIES CAN BE SUB-DIVIDED INTO A NUMBER OF OTHER TYPES, SUCH AS TRANSFORMATION AND SUBSTITUTION DRILLS. THE USE OF ANY PARTICULAR TYPE DEPENDS ON THE PURPOSE TO WHICH THE DRILL IS PUT. IN ANY…

This series of three articles focuses on basic language skills involved in second language learning. The first deals with the importance of pronunciation. The author argues that proper pronunciation and intonation cannot be achieved without recognizing the value of repetition drills and correct speech models. The second article considers modern…

Effective individualized instruction and increased student participation in foreign language communication skills could be achieved by a team-teaching approach. A team, comprised of the regular foreign language teacher and a number of volunteer advanced students, could (1) present listening comprehension materials, (2) evaluate pronunciation and…

This guide for FLES Spanish teachers combines a discussion of teaching methods and techniques with appendixes of teaching materials. Story and dialogue approaches are explained and opportunities for the use of Spanish in the classroom are included. Teaching techniques described include pictures and props, tapes, records, TV, games, songs, choral…