Reports an investigation into possibilities of using word processors and text analysis software with English as second language (ESL) students to determine (1) if foreign students can learn to use computer equipment, (2) if students feel time invested is worthwhile, and (3) if ESL students' problems with writing American academic prose can be…

Three Tzotzil-speaking Mexican sisters were interviewed about their attitudes toward their Indian schooling. They enjoyed school and felt it was important to attend school to learn Spanish, though they had not acquired few linguistic skills. (BW)

Reports that readiness tests given to children in bilingual villages in Papua New Guinea showed that children learning to read in an unfamiliar language were more confused than were children who had never had literacy instruction. (FL)

Discusses research on secondary school students' language communication strategies. Shows that despite grammatical errors and limited vocabulary, even second year students can understand each other and are able to use paraphrases and circumlocutions. (EKN)

Discusses various approaches to the successful conversational language course at the advanced level. (AM)

Discusses the differences in conversational structures and verbal strategies between languages and cultures and the teaching of such differences. The use of literary texts is advocated. (AM)

Enrollment in ethnic studies courses is greatly increasing as students seek to learn the history, language, nature, problems and contributions of their own ethnic group. Language departments can aid this trend and meet students' needs by offering language and ethnic literature and culture courses. (CHK)

Finds that motivation in the conversation course is fostered by careful selection of discussion material, narrow in scope and interesting to students rather than to teachers. Games, songs and experiments are desirable. Error correction is discussed, particularly of "Germanisms". It is suggested that sociolinguistics can contribute to motivation.…

The relationship of career education concepts to the foreign language curriculum is discussed. Efforts of the Maryland State Department of Education in fostering career education are reported. (RM)

A secondary school French immersion program in Montreal is discussed. A research and testing program to evaluate student performance is described. Results show a significant increase in French skills over regular language programs, no decrease in English skills, and no decrease in general academic achievement. (CHK)

An analysis of the written compositions of German students (aged 16+, in their fourth or sixth year of English as a foreign language) with regard to their use of the progressive form. Four problem areas are enumerated, and it is suggested that these be included in pedagogic grammars. (KM)

Qualified teachers are needed for the children of foreign workers in Germany. Supplementary courses are needed for teachers entering this field. Suggestions are given for a 3-phase course, including topics for the basic course, introduction of teaching aids, the use of suitable texts, practice teaching, etc. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Describes an experience with using small-group activities and games in teaching French in the elementary grades. The children's enjoyment and involvement, the increase in spoken French, and the growth in confidence and language ability indicate that group work has great potential. (CFM)

Describes an experiment with an innovative foreign language teaching method whose focus is on increasing the students' fluency and interest by deemphasizing the role of the teacher as drill-master and stressing student communication on a one-to-one basis. (Author/CLK)

Presents a grid for analyzing language learning materials based on certain sociolinguistic criteria. (CLK)