A business French course developed at Utah State University was designed to meet the students' need for knowledge of the specialized vocabulary and expressions in a French-speaking business environment. These vocabulary needs include language for use at work, in daily living, and in employment-seeking. A business French text was chosen and…

Concordia College (Minnesota) has established a global studies curriculum that encourages the development of a global perspective in future business leaders. Global perspective is seen as having five dimensions: (1) perspective consciousness; (2) "state of the planet" awareness; (3) cross-cultural awareness; (4) knowledge of global…

It is proposed that the main emphasis in second language instruction continues to be on linguistic form rather than on meaning or content. In a review of literature, arguments are reiterated supporting the idea that meaning can be transmitted without having all the linguistic means of the target language at one's disposal. These arguments submit…

A study investigated the effects of specific guidelines in the taking and rating of tests of summarizing ability. The subjects were 63 native-Hebrew-speaking students enrolled in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses at the Seminar Hakibbutzim Teacher Training College in Tel Aviv (Israel). The subjects were given two sets of instructions…

A newspaper produced by students of English as a second language (ESL) is an old idea rarely put into practice. However, word processing and simple desktop publishing technology can help realize several often elusive goals of ESL: creation of an authentic information vehicle providing contact with a genuine audience (other students); involvement…

A study investigated Finnish high school students' second language learning motivation, attitudes, self-concepts, inhibitions, and selected personality traits. The study attempted to learn more about the nature, content, and functions of the "affective filter" in foreign language learning. A variety of relationships between these factors…

Although reading skills transfer from first to second language, there are other considerations when teaching English reading to non-English-speakers. Reading is the foundation for future studies, and should be taught effectively from the beginning for students to have success in their studies. Good readers in any language have experiences that…

Discusses the design and content of British in-service teacher education courses for non-native-English-speaking teachers of English from developing countries. Focus is on the methodology appropriate for this group of teachers. It is argued that such courses must emphasize the concept of communicative methodology, but must also address the…

A three-phase project was conducted to further the education of inmates in the Lafayette (Louisiana) Parish Correctional Center. Phase I of the project was designed to prepare inmates to be eligible to take the General Educational Development (GED) test, and/or to teach life-coping skills so that they would better function in society upon their…

This short guide examines three types of syllabi that can be used in helping adult English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students develop functional communication skills--grammatical, topical, and functional syllabi. Examples of the types of vocabulary that would be introduced in each curriculum are provided, and the main approaches that would be…

The handbook is designed primarily as a preservice training guide for prospective immersion program teachers and secondarily as a resource for immersion program administrators and parents of prospective enrollees. It includes: (1) an overview of the immersion model, describing its historical context and key features and briefly reviewing research…

A discussion of the use of science activities as a technique for second language instruction focuses on its application in both immersion and more traditional pull-out programs in the elementary school. First, a rationale for the use of hands-on science experiences in grade school second language classes is presented, noting the value of the…

An analysis of the lexical content of four recently published textbooks for college-level introductory German is presented. The study investigated the extent to which the materials prepare students for the intermediate level, as cited in the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' (ACTFL's) proficiency guidelines. The lexical items…

Class activities for developing Spanish proficiency in third- and fourth-year high school students and first- and second-year college students are presented. Activities include a discussion of teaching for proficiency, drawing on recent research, and notes on the design and intent of the activities. Sample exercises for listening comprehension…

This paper discusses adaptation of the Total Physical Response technique, as used in a college German course, to the learning of grammar in high school second language courses. It is proposed that direct methods involving physical action can be used to teach and test production of almost any traditional grammar item and retain the motivational…