Using as examples two skills (semanticizing vocabulary and building first-phase exercises), presents a procedure for the practical training of foreign language teachers, based on the findings of empirical research. Describes five "observer's forms" and their use. Discusses the possibility of combining this form of skill training with systematic…

Argues that Firth and Wagner are justified in arguing that a broader, context-sensitive, participant-sensitive, generally sociolinguistic orientation might prove beneficial for second language acquisition research. Demonstrates a skepticism as to whether greater insights into second language learning will necessarily influence the process. (13…

This paper examines contemporary trends in the error correction literature. Emphases are on types of errors and methods of correction that affect second-language acquisition. (54 references) (JL)

This article suggests that the notion of "conceptual fluency," which has been derived from the current research on the role of metaphor in language and cognition, can be used to draft a teaching curriculum around the notion that metaphor is the organizing principle of common discourse. (51 references) (MDM)

Evaluates the use of oral translation as a second-language teaching activity. Shows that, with a proper regard for the principles of translation theory, translation can play a valuable role in second-language teaching and that translation should be an integral part of the language learning program. (HB)

Conceptualizes a framework for conducting critical classroom-discourse analysis. Critiques the scope and method of current models of classroom-interaction analysis and classroom-discourse analysis and advocates using poststructuralist and postcolonialist understandings of discourse to develop a critical framework for understanding what actually…

Summarized findings from experimental and quasi-experimental investigations into the effectiveness of second language instruction. Comparisons of average effect sizes from sample studies indicated focused second language instruction results in large target-oriented gains, explicit types of instruction are more effective than implicit types, and…

Examines the literature on teachers' use of signing in the classroom for clues about future directions in research that aim to improve the academic performance of deaf students. Suggests that it is not by concentrating solely on the question of whether American Sign Language or some form of English-based signing should dominate in the classrooms.…

This paper elaborates some aspects of narrative learning--defined here as learning to tell stories and learning from, about and through narratives--in the context of primary-age pupils who use English as an Additional Language (EAL). The paper introduces some principles to support their language development in classroom interaction. We argue that…

A research and development effort undertaken to test the hypothesis that concept-learning techniques should be used to teach sophisticated vocabulary concepts is described in this report. The first section provides background information. Specifically, it reviews the need for and the current state of vocabulary development instruction; delineates…

TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING, THE BUREAU OF AUDIO-VISUAL INSTRUCTION OF NEW YORK CITY CONDUCTED EXPERIMENTS IN 1ST-, 2D-, AND 3D-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES. THE FIRST EXPERIMENT, WHICH COMPARED CONVENTIONALLY TAUGHT CLASSES WITH GROUPS HAVING SOME LABORATORY TEACHING, SHOWED THAT GROUPS WITH…

This book presents a clinical procedure for presenting grammatical structure to children with language learning problems. The procedure is based on the developmental aspects of normal language learning and the natural, conversational setting in which children generally learn grammatical structure. Section 1 discusses the interactive language…

A blind multiply handicapped preschooler was taught to respond appropriately to two adjacency pair types ("where question-answer" and "comment-acknowledgement"). The two alternative language acquisition strategies available to blind children were encouraged: echolalia to maintain communicative interactions and manual searching…

Presents seven documents in the ERIC system which discuss innovative approaches to the teaching of freshmen composition courses. (RB)