The collaborative curriculum development process in a postsecondary language education program in Japan is described, looking specifically at the work of five curriculum development teams, or focus groups: needs assessment; curriculum aims, goals, and objectives; cognitive development and learner strategies; materials development; and learner…

The Capacity Building Alternatives Program, an Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title VII-funded project in its first year of operation functioned at 8 schools, serving 139 students of limited English proficiency whose home language was Albanian, Chinese, Haitian, Polish, Russian, or Serbo-Croatian. Students targeted showed an achievement…

A review of research bearing on second language teaching methodology looks at what it tells about language processing and production, classroom interaction and second language learning, and learning strategy preferences. The perspective taken is that methodology consists of classroom tasks and activities. Implications of the research for the…

Content-based language instruction is an integrated approach to language instruction drawing topics, texts, and tasks from content or subject-matter classes but focusing on the cognitive, academic language skills required to participate effectively in content instruction. It is of growing interest to teachers of both English as a Second Language…

A study investigated the relative effectiveness of three kinds of computer-mediated support for developing reading comprehension among learners of Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL). Subjects were 24 first-year students of AFL at the college level. The students were given computer-assisted reading instruction at four levels of treatment: control…

This paper presents several methods of reading instruction that teachers can use with young readers, particularly learners of English as a Second Language (ESL), to help them cope with potential negative effects of background knowledge. Insufficient or inaccurate background knowledge may cause readers to make inferences or interpretations that are…

An experiment using audiotaped student journals for course evaluation is described. Subjects were 200 native Cantonese-speaking technology students taking credit-bearing courses in English communication skills for building. One of the required tasks in the course was to indicate, in their oral journals, what they liked about an instructional…

Satellite television is proposed as a useful source of authentic materials for French language instruction at the college level. It is argued that this medium illustrates to students that the language is used in a wide variety of everyday situations and contexts. The discussion begins with a brief description of common satellite technology,…

A strategy for English second language instruction in the Greek schools of Cyprus at the elementary and secondary level is described. Central to the strategy is assignment of student projects, either individual or small-group, integrating independent language learning and use of research and planning skills. An introductory section presents the…

The study described here investigated the refusal strategies of intermediate-level second language learners and the potential for developing sociolinguistic competence in nonnative speakers (NNS) through classroom instruction. Subjects were six college students of English as a Second Language, divided into treatment and control groups. The…

This module on the garbage crisis is for intermediate and advanced learners of English as a Second Language. It seeks to inform learners about this issue and to give them an opportunity to direct their concerns about the environment into positive action. The guide uses the problem-posing methodology of Paulo Freire. This methodology has three…

Issues emerging from a collaborative evaluation of an interactive video teaching trial conducted in Rockhampton (Queensland, Australia) are reported. The trial aimed at providing an assessment of the feasibility and potential of interactive video technology for teaching and learning in a diverse area of Australia with a number of small, widely…

Essays address the relationship between second language education and intercultural communication in several countries. Following an introduction are the following papers: "Second Language Learning in Belgium" (Ludo Beheydt); "Foreign Language Education in Bulgaria: Present-Day Situation and Future Tendencies" (Madeleine…

The report, from the General Accounting Office to the chairman of the Senate's committee on appropriations, responds to a request for review of Department of Defense (DOD) training of linguists engaged in intelligence-related activities. It summarizes its examination of: (1) the language and technical training provided to DOD linguistics; and (2)…

The photographic narrative of O. Henry's classic short story, "The Gift of the Magi," is designed for use in teaching English as a Second Language. It is accompanied by an audiocassette recording (not included here). An introductory section offers teachers suggestions for classroom use of the materials. The story is told in a series of…