The use of videotapes in college-level Hebrew instruction is discussed. A distinction is made between (1) prerecorded materials, commercially produced or educational, and (2) student-produced programs. The advantages, problems, and purposes of the use of each type of tape are explored. An introductory level instructional tape series and commercial…

A discussion of language proficiency in college-level African language programs begins with a review of the literature in the broader field of foreign language learning concerning notions of language competence, proficiency, and proficiency goals. This section examines linguistic competence, communicative competence, communicative syllabus design,…

This report describes an evaluation of the Local Languages Literacy Project in Southern Sudan, a project to develop literacy education and instructional materials in the various vernaculars of that region and to create a bridge to the more common English and Arabic usage. The first chapter gives background information about the project and the…

A self-paced, individualized program of instruction in eight languages (French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish) that has proven successful at San Jose State University (California) is described. The format of the program, options for individual scheduling and guidelines for class attendance, tutoring, and testing…

Three experiments from the late 1970s concerning second language communication strategies are studied for evidence supporting their classification as either avoidance or achievement strategies. The experiments had as subjects native English-speaking children in a French immersion program, adult second language learners of English who were native…

The idea that "natural speech" as well as written discourse can be organized is now commonly accepted. There is also evidence that natural speech contains more coherence indicators than written texts do. This article proposes that one type of organizer, pragmatic connectives such as "therefore, then, thus, while, however, but"…

Compiled for educators who evaluate limited-English proficient (LEP) students, this directory lists over 200 tests available in 19 languages in addition to English. Tests are listed alphabetically by language, with a description that provides the name of the instrument, area tested, purpose of the test, grade or age level for which the test is…

The textbook tapescripts for a course in basic Pashto are transcriptions of tapes that accompany the basic text. The tapescript for each of the course's 35 lessons includes listening and speaking exercises on material in the parallel textbook lesson. Lesson topics include information on the Pashtuns, classroom communication and behavior,…

The workbook for a course in basic Pashto, designed to accompany a textbook and other materials, contains notes and exercises for students to use after class sessions. It provides background information, study hints, and activities for reviewing new and previously learned information. The course consists of seven units, each containing five…

The first part of a discussion of curriculum for advanced business Arabic outlines the need for development of such a course, arguing that traditional courses do not meet the vocational needs of the growing audience for Arabic instruction. The second part describes a methodology for a newly designed course that uses problem-solving and guided…

The manual for administration of the Chinese Proficiency Test contains an overview of the program, including: (1) its history, content, and format; (2) its primary focus and uses; (3) administration procedures, including registration, ordering the test, reporting scores, and billing; (4) the interpretation of test scores based on normative data…

Papers given at an international conference applying the social sciences to the study of the relationships of languages include the following: "Reseaux sociaux et comportements langagiers en milieu de contact des langues" ("Social Networks and Language Behaviors in a Language Contact Setting") by M. Blanc and J. Hamers, with…

The use of microcomputers and courseware for native language instruction is discussed. Five dimensions of instruction that are helpful in evaluating microcomputer use are examined: (1) student motivation; (2) educational objectives; (3) the appropriateness of the computer and related software as instructional tools; (4) the learning model…

A study examined the learning strategies and attitudes of college language students and their relationship to success in language learning. Three research questions were asked: (1) Which self-reported language study strategies were associated with achievement as measured by classroom or other proficiency tests?; (2) Which attitude and motivational…

A study investigated the appropriate use of item types for testing reading at various levels of proficiency. It was specifically concerned with item types found in the standardized group-administered Defense Language Proficiency Tests. The item formats investigated were signs in the target language, identification of underlined information,…