Demonstrates the use of a multivariate technique known as logit analysis, applying it to authentic data drawn from Juurakko (1996) which studies the influences of the source language and the target language on the use of prepositions in Finnish pupils' learner Swedish. The interlanguage data for the analysis consist of essays written in Swedish by…

Surveyed 49 intermediate-level French-as-a-Foreign-Language college students to determine whether they preferred extensive reading or grammar instruction for language acquisition and practice, and why. Students overwhelmingly preferred reading as more pleasurable and more beneficial for language acquisition. They considered grammar instruction…

Focuses on the use of one networked technology, synchronous computer-mediated interaction, in the second-language (L2) classroom. The scope is intentionally limited to research concerned with evaluating the potential benefits of computer-assisted classroom discussion (CACD) in terms of L2 acquisition theory. Findings stemming from the existing…

Analyzes the role played by oral language skills and by metalinguistic capacities in the reading performance of young beginner readers in French as a second language who are in a situation of successive bilingualism and observing whether differences exist between them and their francophone peers of the same age. (Author/VWL)

Describes a new component called "Writing Error Analysis Model" (WEAM) in the CoCoA system for teaching writing composition in Japanese as a foreign language. The Weam can be used for analyzing learners' morphological errors and selecting appropriate compositions for learners' revising exercises. (Author/VWL)

Observed effects of dialogue journaling through electronic mail on the language produced by learners of Spanish as a second language, compared with the paper-and-pencil version. The electronic version was found to have a positive effect on the amount of language generated and on students' attitudes towards learning the target language but did not…

Characterizes the phraseology of introductions from a corpus of 150 cancer research articles. Explains the fixedness and idiosyncratic nature of scientific phraseology in terms of discourse processes such as reformulation. Argues for the design of a representative and specialized corpus of the research article and a contextual approach to corpus…

Argues against a unidirectional model of foreign language learning whereby only theories and hypotheses generated from second language acquisition (SLA) research influence language teaching and classroom practice. Suggests that the voices of developing practitioners can shed new light on the question of focus on form versus focus on meaning.…

This article discusses traditional methods, such as the grammar-translation, and modern methods, the communicative approach, for teaching English-as-a-foreign-language in China. The relationship between linguistic accuracy and communicative competence, student-centered orientation, and the role of the teacher are highlighted. (Author/VWL)

Used semi-structured interviews to examine a grounded theory of beliefs that Canadian teachers and Japanese immigrant parents hold regarding schooling and learning. Results indicate that the participants' belief systems can consist of three layers: the general belief system concerning school and learning; opinions regarding learning difficulties;…

Makes a case for introducing specialized texts in the English for specific purposes classroom earlier in the reading process. Addresses the question of whether an engineering word list might be a short cut to reading fluency for engineering students, and if so, which words might appropriately be listed. (Author/VWL)

Nine comments are offered in response to "Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Preparing for the 21st Century" (1996). Issues discussed include teacher preparation, articulation, standards implementation, and standards in higher education. (Author/VWL)

Observed a beginning-level Japanese language class of eight students taught by satellite at a high school in the United States during one academic year. Investigated students' learning experience, motivation and attitudes towards Japanese speakers and learning Japanese, language skill development, student-teacher interaction, and broadcast…

Investigates whether students learn culture embedded in a video-based language program. Beginning-level French students watched 10 videos as part of the curriculum. A pretest and posttest assessed long-term gains. Postvideo viewing tests measured short-term retention of culture, and a questionnaire analyzed students perceptions of how well they…

Explores the relationship between the strategies second language learners use to interpret unfamiliar words in a target language. English-speaking learners of Japanese completed a beliefs questionnaire and multiple choice Kanji compounds test. Examined how learner beliefs are related to the ability to combine information from word parts and…