This study is designed to compare "traditional" and "immersion" methods of language instruction to determine whether the latter is a viable alternative in four-year, secondary-school language programs. Both methods are evaluated on the basis of student achievement in comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. The hypothesis…

This project, "Many Right Answers: Learning in mathematics through speaking and listening", was initiated to address two issues in the teaching of secondary mathematics: (1) speaking and listening and its relevance to engaging the disengaged; and (2) the use of speaking and listening by teachers of mathematics as part of their Continuous…

To investigate the effectiveness of three variables in machine mediated small-group instruction, a three-year study is being conducted with 90 undergraduate and graduate students divided into groups of 15. Forms of media presentation, levels of learning and forms of feedback are varied among the groups, and their interactive as well as independent…

An experiment in programed language instruction based on the "Basic French" method of T. Mueller and H. Niedzielski is reviewed in this paper. Seventy-two civil servants participated in the program which provided for 60 hours of taped instruction. Experiment description, objectives, modifications, and a review of the structuring of lessons 1-20…

This report represents an integration of analysis results in an interim report with those from additional analyses performed since. It is divided into (1) description of the experiment in which the goal is outlined; (2) description of the technology company programs, an overview of personnel, curriculum and materials, and incentive systems; (3)…

This report summarizes the principal findings for the O.E.O. experiment in performance contracting. The report emphasizes major results and conclusions to date. It is divided into (1) description of the experiment, in which the goal is outlined; (2) description of the technology company programs, curriculum and materials, and overviews of…

There is a need for empirical investigation of the optimal length for drill sentences at various states of second language learning. This paper reports the results of a study that explores the effects of sentence length and grammatical structure on the ability of foreign students to repeat English sentences. It was hypothesized that sentences of…

Discusses the development of concentration and organizational skills, patience, self-discipline, attention to detail, and appreciation for error analysis through an expanded titration project. Describes the various activities in the extended project and the materials and instructional support needed. Stresses the advantage to students in their…

The paper provides a review of research on the interrelationship of classroom management practices, motivational factors associated with the disposition to learn, and basic skills achievement. The underlying intent of this paper is to examine evidence relating to a potential conflict between a traditional-practices approach to basic skills…

An experiment in the teaching of reading in Spanish to second- and third-grade students, conducted by the author at the Ethel Phillips elementary school, utilizes a modified version of Dr. Laubach's "syllabic, analytic-synthetic" method of language instruction. In this approach, vowels are combined in succession with each of the consonants to…

This article discusses preschool education and the research conducted in that field on various relevant topics in an effort to establish recommendations and programs. Cognitive development is the main issue and is seen as a product of maturation as well as of a broad base of experience which results from interaction between the mind and the…

This anthology of selected articles aims to assist teachers of foreign languages develop effective individualized programs. Introductory remarks underscore the importance of changing teacher attitudes toward their relationship with their students as well as individualizing their instruction. The nature of individualized instruction is examined in…

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of the assumption that auditory discrimination and pronunciation in a foreign language are closely related. If the assumption were to be well-founded, then it might be possible for foreign language students with high auditory discrimination ability to work alone in the language…

Project 2 of the GUME research project on foreign language teaching methods considers whether the structures "some" and "any," and their combinations in English, are best taught by adherence to the habit-formation (implicit) theory or by adherence to the cognitive-code learning (explicit) theory. The experiment also investigates the effectiveness…

The discussion presented here seeks to defend Lado's principle of "speech before writing" and focuses attention on the comparative effectiveness of audio versus visual presentation of language material. Reports on several experiments dealing with this problem lead the author to conclude that, as long as we have the tendency of verbalization or…