Research on themes that offer practical and theoretical bases for teaching language and content simultaneously is discussed. Three theoretical perspectives are cited that are relevant to this approach: the input hypothesis (Krashen's monitor model), the bilingual proficienty theories (Cummins' language proficiency model and the views of its…

This report describes the development, construction, and validation of the Preliminary Chinese Proficiency Test (Pre-CPT), a standardized, nationally-normed test of listening and reading comprehension for beginning-level native English-speaking learners of Chinese as a second language. The Pre-CPT was designed as a lower-level version of the…

Given recent research that encourages more frequent use of the discussion method in teaching, this digest reviews the role of instructional conversations (ICs) in second language learning. ICs, instructional in content and conversational in quality, offer natural and spontaneous language interactions that are free from the didactic characteristics…

A preliminary report on a long-term empirical investigation of advanced language acquisition in a study-abroad environment is presented. The project is based on an American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) longitudinal study of the gains in Russian language competence demonstrated by American students in semester-long language programs in…

A study investigated use of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) for relating learner attitude toward engagement in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learning behaviors, perceived social support for engagement in those behaviors, and behavioral intention. TRA proposes a sequence of dependencies underlying behavior. The model also relates attitude…

A small-scale study at a British university investigated two issues: the effect of task familiarity on language production; and the effects of the task on oral production. Three university students of differing language backgrounds, all non-native speakers of English, were interviewed in autumn and again 3 months later. On both occasions they were…

This paper investigates attitudes of domestic workers in South Africa toward English and the process of learning the language. Interviews that were conducted with domestic workers in Durban are described. Several themes emerged from these interviews, including the need for workers to know English to secure employment, domestic employment as an…

The 12 tests cited in this bibliography are used to assess students' knowledge of German as a second language. Many of the tests described are included because one or more of their subtests measure some aspects of vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. The tests are primarily for secondary or higher education students; a few are used to…

This paper asserts that a gap is developing in English for Special Purposes (ESP) between theory and practice, between received wisdom and grassroots activity that are important to understand when considering the future of ESP. Evidence for these gaps in ESP are discussed in detail in the context of course design, academic input, and the…

A Japanese university course in English as a Second Language is described. The course focuses on developing students' independent learning skills. It consists of a series of learning modules, each focusing on a particular learning resource available to anyone in Japan. The resources recommended for independent acquisition of different language…

Traditional methods of both first and second language teaching have commonly relied on simplification, restricting the range of language forms and functions to be learned and then practicing those forms to achieve mastery. These methods, however, fail to consider seriously the questions of how language develops in natural contexts, what language…

This paper discusses the Georgia Institute of Technology's Business German summer language course, an intensive 6-week course that utilizes classroom instruction, language labs, and computer labs. The course stresses vocabulary and discourse as commonly used in the professional context, as well as intercultural information. A major component of…

Memory-assisting devices used in high school Spanish instruction are described, including strategies in many forms: visuals, sounds, rhythms, rhymes, and actions. Mnemonics for subjunctives include: a suffix-"switching" procedure; a word ("dishes") to remind them of the six verbs not using the first person to form the present subjunctive; a…

This document consists of three workbooks, one each for grades 6, 7, and 8. The workbooks are designed as review and refresher materials for mathematics. The emphasis is on word problems, all of which are written in German. The workbooks are part of a German language immersion program. (JC)

A discussion of computer-assisted second language learning focuses on the kinds of computer software currently available and discusses briefly how they can be used in language instruction. Four types of software are distinguished, including: (1) that in which the computer controls, to a great extent, the nature and order of events (e.g., drills,…