Presents and explains a diagram of a model of the reception of literature by the reader. Some of the factors that lead to "suboptimal comprehension" are mentioned. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

This study was undertaken to determine the relative effectiveness of communicative and noncommunicative oral language practice in beginning college French. Two groups of students were compared regarding type of oral practice. Communicative practice students were superior to noncommunicative practice students in ability to send and receive messages…

An investigation of the differences between first and second language acquisition and the relationship between age and second language learning. The stages in native language acquisition and the advantages of an early start in second language learning are discussed. (AMH)

A discussion of the preparation needed for successful translation and interpreting. In addition to proficiency in the language the future translator must have general knowledge and specific translative and interpretive skills. The distinctions between translation and interpretation is explained. A list of references is included. (AMH)

Students and teachers are dissatisfied with sixth form language instruction and examinations, claiming that their purposes and goals are confused and not clearly articulated. The suggested new emphasis involves instruction in various specific and practical modes of written and oral language production, written translation, and reading and…

Concentrates on the problems arising at the undergraduate level concerning elaborating strategies to teach interpreting skills. (CLK)

Relations between various measures of attitudes toward self, the native language group, the target language group, reasons for learning ESL, reasons for traveling to the U.S. and attained proficiency in ESL were investigated. Attitudes toward self and the native language group were positively correlated with attained proficiency in ESL. (CHK)

Reviews three aspects of language learning--the natural order hypothesis, the role of routines and patterns, and learner strategies--and addresses how these elements relate to the practice of second-language teaching. (CB)

A review of problems and prospects regarding the communicative approach to second language teaching considers learner needs, syllabi, "real" communication, teacher concerns, and future prospects. While there is a set of shared assumptions about the concept of a genuine communicative approach, there is no one specific communicative method. (CB)

A method of assessing language dominance using self-reports of language usage in social interaction, language preference in answering a written questionnaire, and language proficiency measured by equivalent tests of linguistic aptitude is outlined. The results of the method's application on francophone ninth and twelfth graders in northeastern…

A three-step process in designing a test to assess children's oral language proficiency in specific communicative areas is described and illustrated, and the utility of such tests for classroom teachers is discussed. (MSE)

Posits that a child's success in acquiring English may depend to a large degree on his or her proficiency in the heritage language. (CB)

Investigates the degree to which potential users of language reading proficiency scales acquire the standard for accurately grading reading passages of foreign-language learners. A five-day workshop helped users of the guidelines rank reading passages for levels of difficulty and rate them accurate according to the ACTFL scales. (Author/CB)

Investigates monolingual Spanish-speaking children's acquisition of Spanish orthographic structure. Results indicate that the students' decoding skills and their later reading achievement are not significantly related. (Author/CB)

It was found that native English speakers and native Spanish speakers who listened to tapes of Puerto Rican learners of English of various levels of proficiency differed principally in how they rated the linguistic form of the speakers and in the annoyance reported. Pronunciation and hesitations were reported by both groups as the most distracting…