Uses the foreign language autobiography to explore the perceptions of a group of adult foreign language learners toward a broad range of issues related to classroom atmosphere and instruction. Qualitative analysis of student writings revealed three categories of data: classroom interaction, perceived level of success, and attributions of success…

Reports on a study comparing student performances and test reliabilities for the German Speaking Test, a semi-direct tape-mediated oral proficiency test (GST) developed by the Center for Applied Linguistics, and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Oral Proficiency Interviews. (Author/VWL)

Evaluated the effectiveness of Italia Oggi, a videodisc-based system for intermediate and advanced students of Italian at Griffith University in Australia. Attention was focused on students' behavior in pair work, including talk at the workstation and the collaborative strategies they employed. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the use of portfolios for assessing second language learning. Focuses on different kinds of portfolios, criteria for evaluating a portfolio, and portfolios as a motivating tool. (Author/VWL)

This case study shows how an English-as-a-Second-Language teenager in the United States created literacy experiences for himself through involvement in various forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on the Internet. Analyzes the learner's information on textual identity through the theoretical constructs of voice, design, and…

Discusses research on English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) teachers' collaborative reflection on individual teaching procedures. Analyzed the collaborative efforts of two EFL teachers to explore teaching with a view to solving problems in their respective classes. Examined whether this process of collaborative reflection would lead to a change in…

Suggests that Hong Kong English, as it varies from standard English, has not achieved wide acceptance in the community. Approaches this issue by investigating the attitudes of Hong Kong's English language teachers. Analyzed over 1000 messages on language issues on a computer network for English teachers, focusing on discourse and sources of…

Reports on an examination of books written by children who are English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners. Compares the books with criteria for meritorious literature. Discusses implications of the results relevant to process-writing instruction with second-language learners. Indicates an unexpected adherence to criteria for literary genres.…

Examines similarities and differences in loss of grammatical systems across languages, investigating structural changes in six attrited languages as compared to nonattrited languages and demonstrating significant parallelism in structural changes across languages. Correlation between levels of grammatical and lexical loss are discussed, noting a…

Examines the position of Tamil as the language of an ethnic minority in Malaysia and Singapore, placing the issue of Tamil and language maintenance within the larger sociolinguistic milieu in the two countries and drawing conclusions about the role of language policy and planning in the determination of linguistic outcomes. (SM)

Compares the 1996 Canadian Language Benchmarks for describing English-language proficiency among second-language-learners with the International Adult Literacy Survey. Points to the potential for aligning the Benchmarks with other systems for describing adult competencies to enable more systematic integration of immigrants' experiences, skills,…

Presents an upper-division Spanish class combining theoretical readings on literacy and hands-on tutoring at reading programs for Spanish-speaking adults as a model for a course with service learning. Undergraduates gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of key issues concerning literacy while providing a needed service to a neglected…

Interest in and support for language study has been strengthened in the United States in recent years. This article suggests specific ways that parents, teachers, school administrators, policymakers, and members of the business community can foster the learning of languages among children and adults. (Author/VWL)

Investigated the pronunciation training component of a Teaching English as a Second Language program. Focuses on teaching pronunciation in a specific context in Malaysia but raises issues of interest to English-as-a-Second-Language practitioners in other contexts. Describes the pronunciation training and, based on students' responses to a…

Discusses educational concerns of Roma, or Gypsy, children in Canada. Provides background information on this minority group and discusses Roma attitudes toward education and Romani children's experiences in Eastern European schools. Provides suggestions for welcoming Romani children into new schools, including developing children's first and…