A review of problems and prospects regarding the communicative approach to second language teaching considers learner needs, syllabi, "real" communication, teacher concerns, and future prospects. While there is a set of shared assumptions about the concept of a genuine communicative approach, there is no one specific communicative method. (CB)

A method of assessing language dominance using self-reports of language usage in social interaction, language preference in answering a written questionnaire, and language proficiency measured by equivalent tests of linguistic aptitude is outlined. The results of the method's application on francophone ninth and twelfth graders in northeastern…

A three-step process in designing a test to assess children's oral language proficiency in specific communicative areas is described and illustrated, and the utility of such tests for classroom teachers is discussed. (MSE)

Posits that a child's success in acquiring English may depend to a large degree on his or her proficiency in the heritage language. (CB)

Investigates the degree to which potential users of language reading proficiency scales acquire the standard for accurately grading reading passages of foreign-language learners. A five-day workshop helped users of the guidelines rank reading passages for levels of difficulty and rate them accurate according to the ACTFL scales. (Author/CB)

Investigates monolingual Spanish-speaking children's acquisition of Spanish orthographic structure. Results indicate that the students' decoding skills and their later reading achievement are not significantly related. (Author/CB)

It was found that native English speakers and native Spanish speakers who listened to tapes of Puerto Rican learners of English of various levels of proficiency differed principally in how they rated the linguistic form of the speakers and in the annoyance reported. Pronunciation and hesitations were reported by both groups as the most distracting…

Illustrates an inexpensive use of videodisc technology in the foreign language classroom for proficiency, provides information on foreign language discs and instructions for combining disc materials with a given text to produce a proficiency-oriented syllabus, and shows a simple technique for individualizing videodisc instruction. (Author/CB)

A discussion of pre-reading exercises in second language reading instruction looks at the theoretical justification for advance organizers in particular, examines the types of background knowledge that fluid reading requires, and gives models for exercises designed to activate this knowledge. Examples are from French texts. (MSE)

Measurement of voice onset time productions associated with three bilabial, three alveolar, and two velar stops in 3- to 7-year-olds and adults indicated that, by five years of age, children have acquired all voicing contrasts; however, not all sounds are produced in an adult-like manner. (Author/CB)

Reviews the legal proceedings involved in the provisions of appropriate language assessment of children with English language deficiencies. Includes discussion of policy issues in language assessment and the assessment requirements of California, Texas, and Illinois. Includes discussion of recommended provisions provided as part of the bilingual…

Investigates what correlations might exist between an individual's score on the Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache and on the Oral Proficiency Interview. The tests themselves are briefly described. Results indicate that the two tests appear to correlate well in their evaluation of speaking skills. (SED)

Results indicate that (1) Puerto Rican college students are much less apprehensive about communication in their native language than are U.S. students; and (2) apprehension in a first language is a much better predictor of apprehension in a second language than is self-perceived competence in that second language. (PD)

Discusses the differences between the English native and nonnative speaker's creation and use of nominal compounds. A comparison between English speakers and Japanese native speakers indicates that not only must nonnative speakers acquire rules in order to effectively compound words in English, but that rules must indeed exist, indicating that…

Describes the experience of two high school French teachers who developed a curriculum for the nine French courses, according to school and departmental goals. The curriculum was developed according to the ACTFL/ETS proficiency guidelines. Examples are given of the format for Level One units. (SED)