This study examined the type and amount of interaction taking place between mainstream class teachers and English-as-Second-Language (ESL) pupils in primary schools. Teachers at two primary school classes, each at a different school, identified two early-stage ESL pupils in their classes as subjects for the study. Teachers made weekly 30-minute…

A review of research is inconclusive concerning the relationship between intelligence and language proficiency. A study of 10th grade students (n=35) examined scores on a high school entrance exam and achievement in foreign language after 1 year of study. Both math and reading showed a significant correlation with foreign language achievement; the…

When children (particularly African Americans) have a different orthography, phonemic system, and deep structure from Standard American English (SAE) speakers, they may have difficulty grasping the correct SAE phonemes represented by the symbols and reading in general. Language acquisition is natural learning centered around the interaction of…

This experimental study examined how and to what extent native speakers of Japanese acquire syntactic properties of English reflexives. There is emphasis on the effects of the Governing Category Parameter (Wexler and Manzini, 1987), which relates to Principle A of the Binding Theory (Chomsky, 1981). It is hypothesized that second language (L2)…

This book contrasts non-Soviet approaches to language testing and provides definitions from four Soviet language test experts. The role of foreign language teaching, the function of tests, and theoretical problems are discussed, with considerable focus on communicative competence. The book discusses test standardization and classification and…

A study investigated the relative effectiveness of French second language vocabulary learning when presented in two contexts: video, with attention to extralinguistic factors, or audio, with focus on linguistic factors alone. Four student groups (n=137 university students) were formed from existing classes: experimental with video treatment;…

A universal language is needed whereby the international community can communicate in professions of common concern, and English is such a world language. Preparing the international community to read at functionally literate levels in English will strengthen and facilitate international trade. For career education purposes, a close link between…

Based on a review of research, the most common syntactic errors made by native Arabic-speaking learners of English as a second language are discussed. Seven categories of error are distinguished and described: verbal errors (use of tense, phase, aspect, voice, verb formation, concord, finite/non-finite verbs); relative clauses (interlingual and…

Differences in the English and Brazilian Portuguese (BP) phonological systems that may lead to a slight accent in Brazilian learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) are examined. Segmental and suprasegmental features of the two systems are compared and contrasted, noting areas in which ESL learners may tend to substitute a BP segment for a…

An approach to reading used with adult students of English as a second language (ESL) is described. The approach has three components: communicating to students the role of reading in second language development; introducing students to popular novels; and assisting students in developing high levels of reading efficacy. The method was used in a…

A study compared the abilities of non-native speakers of English who have been in the United States for varying amounts of time with the ability of native speakers to perceive and produce primary stress at the phrase level. Subjects, all having at least 1 year of college education, were 10 native speakers of North American English, 6 native…

This introduction to second language learning is intended to provide language teachers with basic information on relevant principles and processes. After an introductory chapter, the second chapter looks at traditional beliefs about language learning, including those concerning transfer of first-language knowledge to the second language, the role…

This study investigated the beliefs about language learning held by secondary school students of French, German, Latin, and Spanish at five levels of instruction. Subjects were 447 students aged 11-18 years. Survey questions concerned language learning strategies and patterns, personal motivation for language learning, language aptitude, and the…

A study investigated the extent to which English compound nouns are problematic for learners of English as a second language and identifies some causes of this comprehension difficulty. Subjects were 34 university students, of widely varying language backgrounds, in courses in English for academic purposes. Each was administered an instrument…

This document consists of the two issues published during 1998 of the newsletter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) national special interest group (N-SIG) on foreign language literacy. Major articles in these issues are: "Academic Protocol and Targeted Rhetoric" (Denise D. Brown); "Key Concepts in FL Literacy:…