This article reviews the research on the simplification of reading materials for second language (SL) learners and reports on an experiment of the effects of text simplification and elaboration on the reading comprehension of SL learners. Elaboration can improve the comprehensibility of texts without removing new linguistic forms that students…

This article examines the concept of simplification in second language (SL) learning, reviewing research on the simplified input that both naturalistic and classroom SL learners receive. Research indicates that simplified input, particularly if derived from naturally occurring interactions, does aid comprehension but has not been shown to…

A study sought information about the success of the Swedish 9-year compulsory comprehensive school for students with home language other than Swedish. Immigrant adolescents and a sample of Swedish students answered a questionnaire discussing their lines of study after comprehensive school and the students' views on the home language instruction…

This book attempts to counter the fears of many native English speakers and educators that the recent surge of speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) into U.S. universities and U.S. society as a whole represents a threat to the integrity of U.S. pedagogy and culture. More specifically, the book wrestles with the questions: What does it…

A study investigated the language transfer hypothesis in the specific area of second-language spelling. Data collected from 84 secondary school students learning Spanish as a second language show that in general, performance in English spelling is the best predictor of performance in Spanish spelling. Other variables included performance on a…

Business terminology should be included in foreign language instruction because of: (1) the need to be able to operate in an international business arena; (2) an increasingly linguistically diverse population; (3) real-world communication needs; and (4) business transactions being part of daily living. Language instruction must be made more…

The struggle of one Cree community, the Waskaganish (formerly called Rupert House) in Quebec, to maintain its own language and culture within the larger multicultural Canadian context has led to the creation and development of a linguistic experiment, the Cree Way Project. After a discussion of the Canadian historical context, this report…

A discussion of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction begins with a review of the English language teaching situation in Singapore today and goes on to examine issues in the production of ESL instructional materials. The focus is on oral language instruction. The first section, concerning Singapore, outlines the structure of syllabuses…

A study is reported that examined the relative effectiveness of four computer-assisted-instruction (CAI) manners of presentation and response for teaching irregular verbs to English/Spanish bilingual students in South Texas. Each of 4 types of CAI presentation gave the same 46 selected irregular verbs in context to fifth-graders in 4 subject…

A study explored alternative ways of collecting data on cultural values as expressed in speech behaviors. It investigated perceptions of the use of compliments in American English interactions by five Japanese and five American women. Methods of data collection included, first, a questionnaire and then for comparison, interviews using items from…

The responses of four scholars in the field of second language education to questions about language anxiety in second language learners are presented. The four respondents were Stephen Krashen, Alice Omaggio Hadley, Tracy Terrell, and Jennybelle Rardin. The formats of the interviews included telephone interviews on questions presented beforehand,…

The 1983 issue of the journal on second language teaching and learning contains six articles in French. These include the following: "E.A.O.: Expression avec ordinateur (E.A.O.: Computer-Aided Expression)" (Daniele Abe, Michele Cembalo); "Ou suis-je? De la relation apprenant/environnement (Where Am I? On the Learner/Environment…

The development of a prototype computer-assisted second language listening comprehension test is reported. The project investigated the feasibility of computer-adaptive second language listening tests using microcomputer equipment and developing model testing software. Tests for French and for English as a Second Language (ESL) were developed. The…

This investigation focused on English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) teachers' and students' awareness and utilization of English outside the school context. Tentative techniques are suggested for introducing this type of English more formally, along with curricular materials. The investigation is motivated by a desire to improve upon continued low…

A study compared the effects of cognitive complexity on the speech production of 14 advanced non-native speakers of English and 14 native English-speakers. Cognitively simple and complex tasks were distinguished based on text type (narrative versus expository). Subjects read one narrative and one expository text in separate sessions, then wrote…