The objectives of this study were to determine the strength and importance of the relationships among features of oral and written language proficiency and their accompanying thought processes, and to dimensionalize variables that may be manipulated to assist development of disadvantaged children. Test scores from measures of language/thinking…

An earlier survey analyzed data (a) by New Canadian status and (b) by occupational categories for students in public schools in Toronto, Canada. This study undertakes a more detailed analysis of the relationship between occupational categories and New Canadian status by providing for additional analyses of other non-school variables, such as the…

Morphological features in the speech of Southern white and Negro students at four grade levels were studied by an instrument designed to test the students' knowledge of fifteen inflectional endings (including the allomorphs of the regular plural, singular possessive and third person singular present, absence of the plural possessive, and the…

This study investigated how much of the Language Instruction Register (variation in language in different social situations) black-vernacular speaking children had acquired by grades one, three, and five. A sentence repetition task was devised which contained selected Language Instruction Register forms having black ghetto vernacular semantic…

Describes the oral language examinations developed by ARELS (Association of Recognized English Language Schools). Copies of the examinations in the form of "Picture Story Booklets" and "Reading Passage Booklets" can be obtained from ARELS, 15 Holland Park Gardens, London W14 8DZ. (IFS/WGA)

Agrees with Oller and Perkins (1978) that correlation and causation are not equivalent and that correlations between invalid measures yield no important conclusions. In addition, Oller and Perkins' arguments against the validity of self-report measurements are examined, as well as evidence for a causal relation between variance in affective…

Research was carried out on Japanese children in the United States to test the hypothesis of early age sensitivity in second language learning. The results did not support this hypothesis. Acquisition proceeded at a fast rate initially, but the amounts of gain diminished with time. (CFM)

Three tests of self-assessment of oral skills were compared with a standardized measure of listening comprehension and oral expression, CEEL's test N73, parts 2 and 3. Results are provided. (KM)

A study was undertaken at the Canadian Forces Base Saint-Jean to determine whether sex is a significant factor in second language learning. Subjects were 200 females and 200 males, all francophone privates between 18 and 22; no significant differences between males and females as learners were found. (CFM)

Four dimensions of bilingual measurement are defined, and three major topics in the assessment of language proficiency and language dominance are discussed: selection of the language components to be assessed; appropriateness of certain elicitation tasks used; and general checkpoints that can be used to evaluate language proficiency dominance…

This paper reports evidence supporting the use of the cloze procedure technique as a reliable way of assessing the listening proficiency of foreign students of English. Evidence was gathered from two small-scale experiments. (CHK)

A presentation of a study and evaluation of a late-immersion French program in British Columbia. Grade Ten students took one semenster in which French was the only language of instruction. Proficiency of these students increased significantly. The findings, along with previous research, suggest that late immersion is a feasible option. (AMH)

A description of an experiment testing the effectiveness of three types of language laboratory equipment: Type A is an instant playback of the student's response; type B an instant playback of both recorded material and responses; and the third, long delay playback. Type A was found to be most effective. (AMH)

A set of language laboratory materials currently being tested in eight Scottish universities is described. The aim of the completely self-taught course is to increase the student's exposure to the language as a whole. The unity of each tape is based on the communicative function of the introductory text. (AMH)

Maintains that the language laboratory is the best way to aid language students in developing linguistic competence. The laboratory equipment needed is described and a pedagogical program for its effective use is outlined. (Text is in Italian.) (CFM)