This "Zielsprache Englisch" Discussion consists of 8 articles on pattern drill. They will be found under the authors' names: Freudenstein, R.; Gutschow, H.; Hill, L. A.; Mugglestone, P.; Piepho, H-E; Raasch, A.; Schmitz, A.; Schrand, H. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Paper presented to the staff of the English Language Branch--Defense Language Institute; Lockland Air Force Base, Lockland, Texas, 1973. (HW)

Pattern practice must not be regarded as the only approach to language teaching, but it has a place therein. Those who oppose its use on scientific-theoretical grounds tend to ignore the actual form of present-day pattern practice. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Shows, with examples of application, how pattern drills can be varied to fit various levels of difficulty. Variations in exercise technique according to the difficulty level can be realized quantitatively by changes in the stimulus and/or response, and qualitatively by variation of material (vocabulary and structures). (Text is in German.)…

Pattern practice is seen as a valuable means of mastering the regularities of language, including forms, combinations of forms (structure), and the combining of such structures into more complex constructions. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Describes some sample discrimination exercises, involving discrimination between forms, between two uses of a form, between different information patterns, and between forms having different social relevance. (IFS/WGA)

Argues for pattern drill as an indispensable link in the learning process: presentation, explanation, practice, performance. Opponents of pattern practice are suspected of confusing goal (communication) with means (drill phase). (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

In pattern drills, the context must be clear. Frequent repetition is necessary, and spontaneity must be sought. Intonation must be considered as well as content and structure. Pattern drill should start with one sentence, but progress beyond the sentence level, to free use of the materials. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Effective instructional strategies used to teach language skills to 24 elementary aged students with autism or moderate mental retardation included the use of choral responding; the use of student-to-student responding; the frequent rotation of materials while teaching 2 to 3 concepts; and the use of random, unpredictable trials for student…

Pattern drill is criticized as being monotonous, not transferable to real-life situations, and not conducive to the development of communication-competence. Situational exercises are needed, designed to enable the learners to verbalize their wishes and needs. (IFS/WGA)