The recent tendency in language instruction is toward the functional approach which shifts focus away from structure and internal semantics toward communicative competence and the external uses to which language is put. The implications of this trend for methodology, materials production, educational technology, and in particular for the language…

This paper discusses the growing dissatisfaction with language laboratories for foreign language instruction, and suggests that more lively materials should be developed for laboratory use. A contextualized approach is suggested, whereby an anecdote, song, essay or poem is used as the basis for a variety of exercises. Calendars upon which…

This study was conducted in an attempt to provide an alternative to the long-established method of tape listening and repetition drills, a method that has had disappointing results. It is suggested that the rate of speed of phonic presentation is not commensurate with the rate of comprehension. The proposed method seeks to prevent cognitive…

An experiment in which secondary school French, German, and Spanish classes at a large comprehensive high school were conducted in three different kinds of classroom settings is described, with emphasis on student rating of machine-guided language practice. Classroom settings included (1) a conventional classroom with a few weekly half-periods in…

Presents guidelines for making individual cassette recordings for student homework from tape masters accompanying foreign language texts. Strategies for using and supplementing curricular material are also discussed. (LMO)

This encyclopedia of language teaching and learning is an authoritative handbook dealing with all aspects of this field of study. It has been produced specifically for language teaching professionals, but can also be used as a general reference work for academic studies at a postgraduate level. A comprehensive range of articles on contemporary…

This issue contains the following articles: "Progressive Decontrol through Deletion," by Robert C. Weissberg; "The Scrutable Chinese," by Jason B. Alter; "Gadgets: Some Non-Verbal Tools for Teaching Pronunciation," by Judy Gilbert; "ELI and English Skills in JFS Library-Media Complex," by Curtis Fawson; and "Aural Comprehension: Mini Lessons in…

A SUMMARY IS GIVEN OF REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE U.S. OFFICE OF EDUCATION BY 46 STATES PARTICIPATING IN THE NDEA TITLE III PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION. ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE 1965-66 SCHOOL YEAR ARE SUMMARIZED FOR EACH STATE UNDER THE THREE HEADINGS OF EVIDENCE OF IMPROVED INSTRUCTION, EVIDENCE…

Language laboratories are especially neglected at the intermediate and advanced levels of foreign language learning. Teachers fail to avail themselves of an important teaching tool at a critical point, when the more mechanical aspects of assimilating the target language should give way to gaining an actual communicative competence in it. At the…

New group-discussion language laboratories and the implementation of a subject-language interaction method are described. The use of the language equipment emphasizes free oral intercourse and allows the subject and language or other didactical questions to be dealt with in turns, rather than simultaneously. The laboratories allow students' 14…

A textbook of audiovisual materials describes the use of items for classroom display, the blackboard, and flat materials (flash cards, projectionable materials, films). There are separate chapters on the audial materials and techniques (phonograph and radio), tape recorders, television, and the foreign language laboratory. An extensive appendix…

Films are becoming recognized as an important medium of foreign language instruction. Although there is a lack of instructional films in German, an abundance of excellent feature films is available through the German Embassy and various consulates. Well-edited scenarios are needed, however, in order to make using these films an effective teaching…

This is the first volume in a continuing series of working papers on English as a second language. The selections in this volume are divided into two groups. The first is a series of three papers given at the annual meeting of the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs held in Chicago in April 1966. These papers, by P. Schnachter, R.…

Language laboratory effectiveness in secondary schools and related research are discussed. Criteria for five elements determining the laboratory's effectiveness are described: (1) the teacher, (2) the teaching materials, (3) the testing and grading programs, (4) the student practice sessions, and (5) the equipment. Some general remarks are made…

Different theories of programed instruction are compared and contrasted, and their application in the language laboratory is discussed. Chapters on programing theories include: (1) Skinner and linear programing, (2) Crowder and intrinsic programing, (3) Pressey and complementary programing, (4) Gilbert and mathetics, and (5) computer assisted…