This study reports on an analysis of questions which were used in the pursuit of understanding in three focussed discussions, two by native speakers (NSs) and one by non-native speakers (NNs). Twelve adult subjects, four NNs and eight NSs, were used. In 66 minutes, only 30 questions were used for the purpose of pursuing understanding. These…

This report is the first in a series of four intended to study language attitudes and language maintenance among whites in the Republic of South Africa. The series is based on data provided by a large-scale survey conducted during 1973-1974. The present report deals with attitudes toward English and Afrikaans as official languages, about…

Essays that consider the way that women are portrayed in foreign language textbooks are presented. The selected essays were submitted to a competition sponsored by the Federation Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes, which requested that language teachers assess such concerns as: (1) whether women were described in a stereotyped way;…

The research presented here is a descriptive account, consonant with ethnographic methods, of interactions between and among family members in selected segments of documentary, prime time and soap opera television programming. The analysis of each program format was based on kinship relationships of participants, topics of conversation involving…

WRITTEN WITH THE IDEA THAT ONCE A LANGUAGE LEARNER HAS ACQUIRED A KIND OF LINGUISTIC SOPHISTICATION HE CAN LEARN ANY FOREIGN LANGUAGE MORE EFFICIENTLY, THIS INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE AND CONTRASTIVE LINGUISTICS PROVIDES SOME NEW INSIGHTS INTO HUMAN LANGUAGES. AFTER DISCUSSING BRIEFLY HOW DISTINCTLY ADVANTAGEOUS IT IS FOR THE…

A role-playing procedure for elicitation of speech acts was designed to study aspects of the communicative competence of second language learners, namely, their language variation with respect to deference when the age and sex of the addressee are systematically manipulated. Sixteen Spanish-speaking adult learners of English as a second language…

This document on the threshold level in French is the result of a project commissioned by the Council of Europe to produce a system of units in foreign language instruction for adults in Europe. The "threshold level" is conceived as the compilation of knowledge and skills a person would need in order to express oneself simply but…

This revision of a previous edition discusses an approach to language teaching called the Silent Way. This method is based on the notion that learning a foreign language is in many respects radically different from learning the mother tongue. It can be learned in the schools by artificial methods and with materials designed for the purpose. The…

Analysis of the relationship between language and ethics can provide insight into social institutions, social discourse, and social action. Further, synthesis of language and social education can aid educators as they develop curriculum which deals with communication and reasoning in social decision making. Ethics is interpreted to include the…

This profile in outline form of the English language teaching situation in Malta discusses the role of English in Maltese society and in the educational system. The most significant changes that have taken place since 1971 include the increasing importance given to Maltese, its greater use as a national and official language, and the new emphasis…

This phrasebook serves to introduce a new Vietnamese resident to the daily activities of life in the U.S. and is intended as a handy reference book which the user can carry around for immediate reference when an English phrase or word is needed. The phrases and supplementary vocabulary in the nineteen units cover a wide range of situations,…

An experimental program of teaching modules or packets--Orientation, Reading, and Language--was designed to improve the communicative skills of 10th graders in vocational-technical schools. The modules consisted of "Student Exercises" requiring student involvement and thinking and a "Teacher's Manual" with ideas for presenting the materials in a…

This profile in outline form of the English language teaching situation in Indonesia attributes the great demand for English to the economic advantages that accompany proficiency in English and to its role in business. English is not used as the medium of instruction except in English departments in tertiary education and in certain specialized…

This profile in outline form of the English language teaching situation in Hong Kong provides a brief background of the social, economic, and linguistic situation, and covers the following topics: the role of English, English within the educational system, the teaching cadre, teaching materials, English outside the educational system, and British…

This profile in outline form of the English language teaching situation in the Central African Republic discusses the role of English and English within the educational system. While French is the official language and Sango is the national language, English is taught in all secondary schools, is used as the medium of instruction in the University…