One way of determining construct validity of vocabulary items in language tests is to interview subjects directly after taking the items to ascertain what is known about the target words in question. This approach was combined within the framework of lexical competency in a study of the behavior of lexical items on the Test of English as a Foreign…

Describes the author's experiences and eventual success of teaching Spanish as a Second Language in Puerto Rico. Notes one student's success in eradicating his self-imposed barriers to learning a second language. Discusses three key principles for building a safe learning climate for students. (SR)

Reports findings from a large-scale investigation into the implementation of Hong Kong's communicative English-language curriculum at the secondary level. Focuses on the roles of teachers and learners and the impact of these roles on patterns of interaction and the nature of language used in the classroom. (DSK)

Language teachers often do not focus on developing strategic competence among their second-language learners, though research demonstrates that language-learning strategies vary in their usefulness and applicability dependent on many variables. Teachers must develop strategic competence to enhance learners' linguistic and communicative competence.…

Examines the relationship between self-identification labels and self-reported language use, among other factors, of students who have self selected into Spanish-for-Native-Speakers (SNS) courses. A principal goal of this study is to work toward better understanding of certain identity features of students with heritage language skills in order to…

Suggests need to relate national foreign-language standards to students' and teacher lives. Concept of teacher as learner is developed within study-abroad context, and outcomes of this experience consistent with goals of standards are described. Specific changes in teaching practice are discussed that occurred as result of one teacher's…

Reacts to Ruth Spack's commentary "The Rhetorical Construction of Multilingual Students." Each reaction is followed by a response from the author. (Author/VWL)

Students in a third-year introduction to German literature course chatted over networked computers, using "FirstClass" software. A brief description of the course design is provided with detailed information on how the three chat sessions were organized. (Author/VWL)

Describes plans and efforts to shape speech-interactive computer-assisted language-learning programs. Current proficiency guidelines provide a practical framework for this development. (Author/VWL)

Examines how the principles about teaching culture in English-as-a-Foreign-Language have promoted cultural confrontation in the guise of cultural acquisition. Discusses the impact of the culture-oriented classroom on three areas of language pedagogy: (1) approach; (2) design, and (3) procedure. (Author/VWL)

Offers specific suggestions to teachers of elementary and middle school English-as-a-Second-Language students for helping their students develop a positive attitude toward reading. Teachers can help students become readers by developing their sense of control and competence in tasks, materials, and the environment. (Author/VWL)

Presents the results of two groups of Spanish compositions from fifth-semester students. The purpose of the study was to assess the students' ability to observe cultural differences between the target culture and the native culture as presented in a commercial and to assess how the procedures to view the commercial affected the quality of their…

Provides a description of a new Reading-English-for-Specific-Purposes (RESP) course in the present Chinese context and an evaluation of its impact on the students' learning interests and learning strategies. (Author/VWL)

Examines the role of output, especially of speaking, in a foreign-language-learning environment. While speaking English, Japanese high school students' performances were videotaped, and they were asked to reflect on their cognitive processes. Students' think-aloud protocols were then classified according to their cognitive processes. (Author/VWL)

Argues that the current English program at the Korean primary level is so closely related to the middle and high school programs that the success of the former cannot be ensured without solving the problems of the latter. Examines what problems have been pointed out in middle and high school programs, whether they are real problems, and how a…