This overview of available technologies and how they can be used in teaching languages is divided into three sections. The first, "Multimedia Inputs," examines digitized multimedia tools and their role in language courses, electronic books, encyclopedias and dictionaries, and games, and takes a closer look at "unimedia"…

The role of English language training in Japan's move toward corporate internationalization is addressed, particularly in terms of the importance of English, the nature and quality of training, and the ramifications of that training regarding global competition. It is noted that the Japanese language is not suited for the sort of confrontation,…

The approach to English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction for preschool children at Instituto Crandon, a private elementary-secondary school in Uruguay is described. First, characteristics of Uruguay and its educational system are outlined, stressing the advantages of temperate physical environment and high literacy rate. Then background…

An approach to the teaching of English as a Foreign or Second Language (EFL/ESL) that uses Turkish shadow puppetry is described and discussed. The method uses traditional theater characters and contemporary scripts in the form of dialogues and group discussions to provide oral skill practice. The activity has the advantage that even shy students…

A study investigated the experiences of three Australian teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) who conducted teacher workshops on communicative language teaching methods in Vietnam. It provides a critical description of cultural conflicts arising from the introduction of a western teaching approach and the informants' interpretations of…

A study investigated attitudes of college students of English-as-a-Second-Language to computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Students in a CAI English writing class (n=25) and two CAI English reading classes (n=29) were surveyed at the end of the first and second semesters of instruction. The first questionnaire used had 40 questions, and the second…

The evolution of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is examined, focusing on what has changed and what has not changed much during that time. A variety of changes are noted: the development of multimedia capabilities, color, animation, and technical improvement of audio and video quality; availability of databases, better fit between…

This packet contains four sets of lesson plans designed for the workplace curriculum for housekeeping employees at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel (Anchorage, Alaska), as part of the Anchorage Workplace Literacy Program. The lesson plans, which are correlated with Laubach literacy method skills books levels 1-3, include conversation (dialogue,…

This unit contains lesson plans designed to teach first aid skills to adults with limited language skills. The lesson plans were developed, using the Laubach literacy method, for a workplace literacy project in Anchorage, Alaska. The lesson plans, which are correlated with the book, "You Can Give First Aid," include conversational skills…

The less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) have entered mainstream foreign language teaching only in the last decade. The LCTLs include all languages other than French, German, and Spanish and can be divided into several subgroups, including "truly foreign languages" (TFLs) that are not cognate to English. While TFLs have never been very visible…

Education systems in the United States are still reeling from the shock of the recent wave of poor immigrants from Central America. The necessary preparations have not been made to meet the basic needs of the newcomers, while they in turn face an even greater dilemma: survival in a society that blatantly ignores their dreams and aspirations for…

Computer-based and audio tape materials were compared for their effectiveness in helping students practice Chinese language lessons. Subjects were enrolled in an intensive elementary course in Mandarin Chinese. The textbook and audio tape were prepared by the Beijing Language Institute in China, and the computer-based material was developed by the…

Self-efficacy and performance variables and technology adoption for secondary distance learning facilitators were studied. Subjects were 107 high school teachers who served as distance facilitators for an introductory Spanish course delivered from Kansas State University to 9 states (Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana,…

Modifications to an existing secondary school foreign language program in Arlington County, Virginia, are described that were developed when the middle school program began in September, 1990, and sixth graders were incorporated into the foreign language program. Lessons were tested in an alternative school prior to adoption in the middle schools.…

An interactive video trial involved teaching two Year-7 lessons to elementary school students in Queensland (Australia). French was taught to one class through two-way video and audio so that students and teachers could see and hear each other, and Japanese was taught simultaneously to three classes through one-way video and two-way audio.…