Examines the discursive structures and linguistic resources of the interactional environments influencing the development of individual communicative competence, with specific reference to providing speaking opportunities to students studying Spanish as a second language. Findings reveal that the ways in which topics are developed differ from how…

Examines a series of naturally-occurring phone calls between a young child and his grandmother in the child's second language (L2), Portuguese. Notes that during the calls the child's L2 appears to increase in complexity, but is subsequently abandoned. Argues that this abandonment requires an examination of the language's role in the larger…

Examines whether strategy training orienting second language (L2) students' attention toward referential processes improves their comprehension of Japanese narrative. Findings revealed that experimental students comprehended the story at the macro level significantly better than control students, suggesting that the strategy training is beneficial…

Discusses the incorporation of "service-learning" into college curricula. Describes a project linking classroom language to the target culture. Results indicate that students increase their awareness of the communicative value of the target language, reflect on their own learning, and learn a second language in context. (eight…

Although many foreign language instructors assess oral skills in their program, many hesitate to incorporate multiple oral evaluations because of the perceived disadvantages of time-cost and added stress. This article underscores the significant advantages of oral assessments and encourages instructors toward that goal by presenting five types of…

Presents results of a study of the use of the dative with the genitive prepositions "(an)statt,""trotz,""wahrend" and "wegen" based on two corpora. Notes that a comparison of these two computerized corpora shows that no clear trend exists regarding the increased use of the dative with these prepositions in…

Drawing from a project at Coventry University (England), this article discusses innovative ways to exploit computer-assisted language learning (CALL) methods in the classroom. Particular focus is on Role Reversal, an approach that transforms students into designers of their own courseware as a means of addressing the problem of grammar…

Discusses the use of computer-based language tools that are adaptable to the individual needs of ESL (English as a Second Language) students and teachers. Highlights include hands-on learning, learning objectives, examples, opportunities on the Internet, virtual tutors, and a sidebar that lists ESL electronic resources. (LRW)

Mathematics teaching and subject matter acquisition were studied with 66 linguistic minority children and 104 dominant language speaking students in a monolingual second-language class and a traditional bilingual education model in Oslo (Norway). Results indicate that linguistic minority students benefit from bilingual mathematics teaching. (SLD)

Features excerpts from selected articles that reflect major trends in English language teaching during the past 40 years. Articles include the following: "Reflection in the ESl/EFL Classroom"; "Project Work Integrated into ESP Classes"; "Teaching Portfolios as Assessment Tools"; and "Material for Teacher Autonomy." (Author/VWL)

Presents the findings from research studies regarding the effectiveness and validity of various assessment accommodations for English Language Learners (ELLs) including: modifying English exams, providing glossaries and dictionaries, and allowing extra time. Based on the research findings, provides eight recommendations to policy makers and…

Aims to integrate culture in the English-as-a-Foreign-Language classroom using the World Wide Web. Korean college students in pre-service teacher training were assigned group projects that consisted of gathering information on the culture of an English-speaking country through an Internet search and presenting the results of their projects in…

Investigates whether differences in mode (technology-enhanced or traditional) of commenting and interaction result in difference in the area, type, and nature of comments produced by peer reviewers in second language writing, and what impact observed differences have on students' revisions. Findings show the overall number of comments and…

Provides theoretical background to Exploratory Practice (EP) and illustrates how the framework of EP can be invoked in the context of doctoral research. Reports on a doctoral study that focuses on one the researcher's professional development as an EP teacher-consultant. (VWL)

Describes the Academic English program for University and College Entrance (AEPUCE) at the University of Manitoba. The program provides an alternative model to standardized language tests as a means of determining university admissibility for nonnative speakers of English. Describes a survey among international students about how effective the…