The review summarizes empirical findings and theoretical views related to the Stroop color-word phenomenon, in which naming of a color is disrupted and delayed by the presence of an "irrelevant" word denoting a color different from the color patch. It was deemed important to increase awareness of this phenomenon, since it involves basic…

Compares the error-grading system of Zydatiss (in 'Linguistik und Didaktik', No. 24, 1975) with examples from the "Natural L2 (Second Language) Acquisition" project, and raises the question of how far it is possible for a teacher to utilize the approach of a self-guided language-learning process. (IFS/WGA)

Attempts to show that study of the differences between English and Chinese can help account for the difficulties Chinese speakers have in learning English and vice versa. Discussion focuses on: What devices are used to signal important structural meanings in the two languages? How do they differ from each other? (Author/KM)

A thorough knowledge of grammar is a necessary condition for fluency and correct expression in a foreign language because it replaces one's instinct in the native language. Three rules for mastery are given: regular practice of specific exercises; a habit of self-criticism; work on weak points. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

A brief analysis of the complex English non-past tense contrasted with the simple Moroccan-Arab non-past. In English the non-past is represented by many forms; in Moroccan-Arabic it is represented by few forms. This fact is the cause of confusion to the Moroccan learner of English. (AMH)

This article concentrates on problems faced by Italians when learning the stress of English single, cognate, and compound words. (CHK)

The term ethnoreconstruction has been coined to refer to a strategy by which a speaker of one language or dialect attempts to speak a related language or dialect by systematically transforming the elements. The process is discussed with reference to several languages. (CHK)

The poor command of Spanish common to many Puerto Ricans is due, not to the teaching of English as a second language, but to the poor instruction of the native language and the lack of emphasis on reading good Spanish literature. The two languages can coexist. (Text is in Spanish.) (CHK)

Hebrew-English bilingual children, monolingual English children, and Hebrew monolingual children ranging in age from 5 to 8 years were tested for flexibility in syntactic rule usage, symbol substitution, semantic knowledge, and nonverbal system understanding. (JMB)

The uses of error analysis in teaching English as a second language are discussed. Error analysis can pinpoint areas of difficulty for an individual or an entire class. Materials and methods to use in error analysis are detailed, and use of a card file to catalog errors is suggested. (CHK)

Focuses on the learner's problems in producing the correct grammatical gender for a given noun in German. Discusses the complexity of gender assignment and the lengthy process of acquisition of gender. Examines error patterns made by English students of German. (Author/LMO)

A descriptive model elaborated to account for the rhythmic organization of French and English is applied to the speech of French learners of English to identify the particular type of cross-linguistic influence operating therein. Evidence is presented for the existence of transitional rhythmic groups, perceived in the interlanguage vowel reduction…

Reports a case of a native speaker of Spanish with reading and spelling difficulties in both English and Spanish. Argues that the regular Spanish spelling system prevented these difficulties from becoming apparent and discusses the connections between writing systems and second language learning. (Author/SED)

This literature review provides evidence of dialect interference in black children's performance on oral reading, but large gaps exist in knowledge about Black English and the task of reading. The evidence of dialect interference in reading is equivocal at present, and the educational alternatives considered here are seen as premature. (RC)

A questionnaire given to students and teachers of English in grades 9, 10, 12 and first-semester university students revealed that 70 percent rated most difficult the difference between English /s/ and /z/, and in fact all voiced-unvoiced consonant contrasts. Twenty-two percent mentioned intonation. Swabian dialect interference was considered.…