One English and two Spanish 24-word lists were administered as vocabulary tests to 80 English-speaking and 80 Spanish-speaking (Mexican and Puerto Rican) eighth graders, respectively. Results provide insights into the frequency of use as a valid measure of word difficulty in bilingual vocabulary test construction and translation. (TJH)

Discusses the theoretical basis, implementation, and pedagogical considerations of CALLE (Computer-Aided Language Learning Environment), a dialogue-based beginning Spanish language instruction system. CALLE uses Lexical Functional Grammar Theory to analyze errors in student input. Sample screen is shown. (Author/LMO)

SPANLAP (SPANish LAnguage Processing) is a computer program which attempts to engage students of Spanish in a free-form written dialog by allowing them to ask questions. The morphological and syntactic parsing process used in SPANLAP is explained. Sample dialog illustrates limitations of the current model. (Author/LMO)

Describes the use of transparency theory in second language acquisition and, in particular, its use as applied to a survival- or entry-level Spanish-language training effort called the EXITO project. The use of audio and video equipment to enhance the application of transparency theory concepts is also described. (Author/CB)

A survey of high school and higher education teachers' (N=208) attitudes regarding the use of computers for Spanish-composition instruction revealed that: the lack of foreign-character support remains the major frustration; most teachers used Apple or IBM computers; and there was mixed opinion regarding the real versus the expected benefits of…

Presents a strategy for using an expanded version of Total Physical Response (TPR) as one tool for teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Variations of TPR are suggested for the purpose of implementing the technique within the foreign language curriculum. (Author/CB)

To avoid teaching only the sociocultural views and values of the dominant social class of a language group, second language teachers should include dialectal variation in the curriculum from the outset, exposing students to authentic language use and the views and values of non-dominant, ethnic minority, and other speakers. (MSE)

Language Lotto is a game to sensitize second language students to a variety of conversational strategies and to what is implicit in spoken discourse. (MSE)

Describes a specialized authoring system known as a template, which usually targets only one subject and one format at a time. A template called DICTATE, which allows teachers to use the dictation format to practice auditory discrimination, aural comprehension, and orthography is discussed in detail. (SED)

Outlines the steps taken in developing and using computer-based instruction with interactive videodisc material in a language class. The goal of this particular project was to develop a series of listening comprehension activities in Spanish using 30 minutes of Level 2 Interagency Language Roundtable videodisc material. (Author/SED)

Results of survey of Hispanic Americans' attitudes toward assimilation show that changes in their cultural patterns and movement toward assimilation were minimal. Hispanics generally want to be Americans with political and economic clout but also desire their own cultural identity. (SA)

Mexican American adults (259) in three suburban Southern California communities responded to a standardized psychological impairment measure to test whether relinquishment of traditional values lessens acculturative stress and adjustment problems, or if identification with Anglo American culture while maintaining traditional values facilitates…

Describes intensive summer institutes designed for elementary and secondary school language teachers of French and Spanish. Objectives include: (1) revitalizing the participants' language capabilities, (2) increasing their knowledge of literature and culture, (3) exposing them to less traditional literature and culture, and (4) encouraging…

Describes the format and content of two four-week sessions of an intensive summer institute conducted at Purdue University to help meet the needs of secondary school teachers of French, German, and Spanish. Participants were enrolled in three different courses: the target language culture, conversation and composition, and the teaching of culture.…

Concludes that the PDIL (the Spanish version of the Test of Early Language Development) should be used with caution. Since its reliability and validity were determined with the English language version, the method used to translate test items may have some ambiguities, and some illustrations on picture cards may not be culturally appropriate for…