Given the lack of guidance for teachers regarding the role of explicit grammar instruction in the proficiency-oriented classroom, an experiment investigated how well students are able to read, learn, and use targeted grammar structures on their own. Results suggest they can learn certain kinds of linguistic structures anonymously, but others…

The effects of feedback (explicit correction) on the learning of morphological generalizations were studied in 79 adult native speakers of English with varying levels of proficiency in French. Among the findings was that the learning of absolute exceptions was more likely among advanced learners. (69 references) (Author/LB)

Properties of the maintenance and loss of Spanish/English bilingualism were investigated in 308 high-school students of Mexican background. Variables investigated included actual and self-reported proficiencies in Spanish and English, self-reported language choice behavior in various settings, and language attitude. (JL)

Studied the longitudinal impact of a maintenance bilingual education program on the development of English in Spanish-speaking Mexican-American children in grades K-2. Subjects who were limited in both Spanish and English proficiency gained more in English achievement than those who were fluent in Spanish but not in English. (KS)

Explains why it is so difficult to define communicative testing, discusses problems related to communicative testing, and concludes with suggestions for further research. (15 references) (CFM)

Describes a university's approach to determining, testing, and certifying students' proficiency levels for foreign language reading-for-research courses, focusing on the effectiveness of using the 1986 ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in developing the university's guidelines. (28 references) (CB)

Presents analyses of the use of the essential connectives "so,""because,""then," and "but" in narratives of children aged three to nine years. Connectives were used semantically, pragmatically, or, rarely, in error. Age changes were minimal. Structural complexity and elaboration improved throughout the…

Affective aspects of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students' learning styles ("ESL classroom personality") specific to formal ESL settings were examined in a comparison of Japanese and Mexican ESL students. ESL classroom personality was also related with other variables including sex, English proficiency level, and length of stay in…

To address theoretical claims for the importance of negotiated interaction to the comprehension of second language (L2) input, different classroom interactional behaviors of L2 learners were compared. Results indicated that direct participation in negotiation was most effective in facilitating comprehension of less-advanced students; however, this…

Examines the use of English by merchandisers in Macao, where the required proficiency exceeds that these individuals can be expected to possess. Examples of serious language mistakes are given and contextual and other clues are identified. Possible solutions for these problems are suggested and potential directions of further enquiry are explored.…

Refusals among speakers of English and Arabic are studied in three samples: native English speakers in the United States and Egypt; Arab students of English in both countries; and Arabic speakers in Egypt. Pragmatically unsuccessful strategies are analyzed from data gathered by a discourse-completion task. (18 references) (Author/LB)

A brief description of the English-language proficiency level expected of ninth-grade Israeli students introduces a tabular guide to various English readers, along with their basic vocabulary ranges. (LB)

Data indicate that the ability of Hungarian scientists to be heard beyond Hungary can be differentiated on the basis of their relative English proficiency. Additional data show that 40 years of required Russian study in Hungarian schools has not disseminated Russian through the Hungarian population. Implications for developing nations seeking…

Describes the development of the Educational Testing Service's (ETS) tests of composition for native speakers of English and of the Test of English as a Foreign Language's (TOEFL) Test of Written English (TWE). Recommendations are provided for carefully scrutinizing new developments in ETS testing as they affect students. (39 references) (GLR)

Analysis of college Spanish students' processing of information under different conditions suggested that learners, and particularly early-stage learners, have great difficulty in attending to both form and content. (22 references) (Author/CB)