In the last four decades, many of the studies on contrastive linguistics have been intended for and directed to second language teachers, on the assumption that a major problem in language learning arises from interference caused by structural differences in the native and target languages. However, this effort has had little impact on the…

This manual accompanies a four-part videocassette series. Each unit follows a Hispanic man in his quest for a job, focusing on four aspects of the job seeking process, including identifying a job opening, calling about it, the interview, and the first day at work. The series can be used with high beginning to intermediate students. The videotapes…

An overview of English language education in Nepal is provided, and a discussion of a study focusing on the English language education situation in Nepal is presented. The investigation sought to answer the following questions: (1) What kind of English curriculum does Nepal have? (2) Who designs and prescribes curriculum, curriculum materials, and…

This guide is intended for use in the development of an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) course, and civics. The guide was produced in response to the high proportion of amnesty applicants illiterate in Spanish, their native language, and in need of instruction in ESL and civics, which are necessary for legalization. The guide consists of five…

This curriculum for Manitoba's bilingual heritage language instruction program in Ukrainian outlines the objectives, content, and design of instruction of the bilingual program, open to all children regardless of language background. Introductory sections describe the program's rationale, goals, and objectives, and provide notes on program…

This curriculum for hotel employees is based on the analyses of worksite tasks and interactions. Hotel housekeepers were observed on the job, supervisors were consulted, and existing resources were reviewed to determine the language and basic skills needed to effectively and efficiently perform job duties. Twelve curriculum units were developed,…

The four 1990 issues of the Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit (ALBSU) Newsletter are gathered in this packet. The newsletters are published quarterly by the ALBSU for persons teaching in adult literacy, English as a Second Language, and basic skils programs; for persons responsible for funding and organizing such programs; and for those who are…

A discussion of the use of drama in the foreign language classroom looks at the three common ways it is used: (1) the dramatic teacher, or methods in which the teacher's dramatic behavior involves the students in interesting communicative situations; (2) creative drama, in which activities focus on the students' involvement in spontaneous dramatic…

An experimental one-year course in English for freshman nonmajors at a Japanese university is described and discussed. Classes, comprised of over 50 students, met once a week for 90-minute lessons. The syllabus focused on the thorough learning of short, humorous stories and activities developed from the stories. In class, English was used as much…

A discussion of foreign language classroom communication focuses on the ratio of teacher talk to student talk and its contribution to second language learning. It begins with the assumption that if students are to develop communicative competence in the target language, they must be allowed and encouraged to talk progressively more while the…

Behavioral differences between Soviet and American foreign language teachers are examined as a basis for improving intercultural understanding and promoting more productive work in the bicultural classroom. The observations are made by American language teachers who have known teachers from both countries as both students and peers. Specific…

A study examined the effects of using heuristics, a problem-solving approach, to respond to drafts written by six university students of advanced composition in English as a second language (ESL). The students had varied language backgrounds. The teacher responded to first drafts of each of three writing assignments by writing heuristic questions…

The program of the Fairview German Bilingual School, the elementary (K-5) segment of the Cincinnati public school system's German bilingual alternative program, is described. The school provides intensive second-language instruction in German for monolingual English-speaking children with bilingualism as the objective. In 1984-85 the student body…

Second language teachers wishing to diversify their instructional approach should consider using fairy tales to enrich the experience of the target language and culture. When used well, they can provide a glimpse of the values, lifestyles, customs, and historical traditions of the target language group. Fairy tales also offer a variety of language…

Ninety students in a Hong Kong course in English as a second language were asked to list 20 topics they considered to be of interest for classroom study. The most popular topic areas, in descending order of popularity, were education, the students' home country (Hong Kong), family life, money, human relationships, marriage, nationalism and…