This study investigated the nature of progress made in learning Chinese as a Foreign Language by adult learners in an intensive summer program in an American university setting. Chinese language ability of 22 students was measured by a multiple choice test and an interview test. Data are interpreted and discussed in terms of implications for…

Bachman's framework of language testing and standard of authenticity for language testing instruments were used to evaluate three instruments--the SPEAK (Spoken Proficiency English Assessment Kit) test, OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview), and a performance test--as language tests for nonnative-English-speaking teaching assistants. (Contains 53…

Current brain research indicates a need for "bimodal" foreign-language instruction. This paper evaluates the bimodality of the theoretical model accepted by advocates of proficiency-oriented instruction and recommends that further research be conducted to ascertain the effects on student proficiency of a bimodal approach. (Contains 32…

Examined the use of bimodal communication (BC), sign language with spoken English, by hearing college students in five scenarios and during informal discussions between scenarios. The results indicated that varying signing ability affected signers' BC rate and that skilled signers adapted the amount of BC they used to the social situation. (three…

Measures of acculturation to the school environment and to student's own culture were administered to 23 Mexican American students in grades 7-9 in a rural midwestern town. Student reading achievement on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills was not related to scores on either measure of acculturation, but was related to level of English language…

Examined the development of control over anaphoric reference and relativization by 23 elementary school students learning English as a Second Language (ESL) in a pull-out classroom employing little overt grammar instruction. Results found that second language exposure and proficiency level, rather that age or first language background, had more…

This article examines the effects of test format and task type on candidate output in direct and semidirect versions of the oral interaction subtest of the Australian Assessment of Communicative English Skills. Results are discussed in relation to the degree of interactiveness and other factors that appear to influence lexical density and to the…

Examined the effects of daily grammar reviews and correction feedback on student performance in a college-level Spanish culture and conversation course. Results found that although the plus-grammar group significantly outperformed the nongrammar group on grammar-focused instruments, both groups performed equally well on an essay. (47 references)…

Investigated parents' transmission of minority language in Sweden to map parental intentions during pregnancy and analyze parental language use with their children. Found most parents are willing and able to continue to speak their minority languages with their children, but it is questionable whether this is sufficient for language transmission.…

The abilities measured by the First Certificate of English (FCE) administered by the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate are compared with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service. The analyses suggest that the FCE and TOEFL appear to measure the same common aspect of language…

Compares the self-assessments of French proficiency made by approximately 500 grade 8 students in 2 different French immersion programs (early and middle) in Toronto, Canada. (38 references) (VWL)

This report discusses a study on the use of modern media techniques in long-distance oral testing that preserve the possibility of interaction by using video teleconferencing. Two test administration modes, face-to-face and screen-to-screen, are compared in an experimental design. (10 references) (VWL)

A study of the use of the student monitor sheet, which indicates suggested correct answers in communicative paired and group foreign language learning activities, found that the sheet helps students to communicate more effectively, creates a more lively and relaxed learning atmosphere, and increases student confidence. (four references) (Author/CB)

Discusses how native speakers of Spanish, accustomed to dealing with nonnative Spanish speakers, evaluated 18 taped nonnative speech samples that provided a wide sample of pronunciation. Comprehensibility, voice agreeability/ disagreeability, and nativeness of accent were rated. (32 references) (LB)

Based on a comprehensive language proficiency assessment project, this article reports on a four-level scale that assesses literary interpretation. The notional components are sequenced from the specific and concrete to the general and abstract, with focus on literary components that can be used to interpret any work. (Author/LB)