Reaction of the target language speaker to the second language learner's errors may play an important role in developing awareness of norms of correctness. A model for corrective feedback has been developed. Its use helps isolate ambiguities, highlights features of corrective interaction effective in eliciting correct performance. (CHK)

A study was designed to ascertain whether syntactic avoidance behavior could be demonstrated for two groups of ESL learners (native speakers of Arabic and of Spanish and Portuguese) in accordance with contrastive analysis difficulty predictions. An avoidance pattern was found in accordance with such predictions. (CHK)

Describes a test of language usage, spelling, and grammar and punctuation which is used to predict students' performance in writing courses. (KS)

This article proposes use of one aspect of transformational-generative grammar as a simple explanation of the use of English articles. In this method, nouns are analyzed to determine their definiteness and whether they are countable, as tests for using "a" and "the." (CHK)

A classroom project designed to increase student comprehension of the rhythms of French journalistic language through familiarization with a weekly magazine is described. Examples of magazine articles dealing with foreign affairs, politics, and television program schedules with teacher-developed comprehension questions are included. (MSE)

Examines the frequency with which a child hears prose, poetry, and songs in the classroom from preschool to second grade. Indicates that children at all levels heard stories daily, whereas poetry received little attention. Argues that the language of literature is most evident in poetry and provides examples to support this conjecture. (JD)

Speech samples were elicited twice (four months apart) from a 4-year-old language delayed child. Clinical analysis involved examination of conversational turns and words, length of unit, speech act variables, amount of speech, and syntax. Although results clearly indicated an unmistakable surge in expressive language, analysis did not explain the…

An evaluation study indicated that teachers differentiated standard American English from three marked varieties, with Hispanicized English rated more favorably than ungrammatical English and code switching. Four varieties of Spanish were differentiated on standard language continuum, with code switching the least acceptable. (CB)

A morphological analysis of a French language corpus focuses on patterns of truncation, shortened versions of multisyllabic words, in modern spoken usage and in the language used in newspapers. Specific examples of truncation are included.(MSE)

Explores the relative contributions of global vocabulary and specific attribute knowledge to the metaphorical comprehension of fluent and less fluent adult users of English. Results indicate that, for both groups, specific attribute knowledge was a better predictor of metaphorical interpretation than global vocabulary knowledge. (Author/CB)

Communication in mother-infant dyads and mother-infant-sibling triads was examined to determine how variation in the number of people and type of activity affect the ways language is used by all participants. Homebased observations were made of 16 first- and 16 later-born children when they were between 18 and 23 months old. (Author/BN)

University students presented with a description of a stimulus person whose title of address was varied (Ms., Mrs., Miss, or Mr.) conveyed their impressions on semantic differential ratings and life outcome ratings. Found women who preferred the title Ms. appeared more achievement oriented, socially assertive, and dynamic, but less interpersonally…

A study of the acquisition of rules for the placement of the negative particle and some adverbs in Swedish generally supported the results of earlier studies on favorable contexts for the correct application of the placement rules, but also revealed that some errors may result from tendencies to emphasize semantics over syntax. (Author/CB)

Compares native Spanish-speaking (N=9) and native English-speaking kindergarten students' use of language learning acts after individual peer tutoring sessions in English. Findings reveal that students appear to acquire English according to their level of general academic achievement. (Author/CB)

Four activities for language learning are presented, including: class completion of incomplete dialogues excerpted from major literary works; games for learning vocabulary and civilization using words beginning with the same letter; a lesson using cartoons to elicit description and dialogues; and a unit on appropriate and inappropriate…