Introductory comments to a special journal issue on communicative accommodation provide a framework within which the accompanying articles can be examined. Terminology and field methods are described for this frontier area of sociolinguistic study and more sociolinguistic analysis is advocated. (50 references) (LB)

Investigates learning principles that account for developmental stages of adult second-language acquisition in the context of Learnability Theory--the investigation of the cognitive processes that determine stages and eventual success in language acquisition. (71 references) (JL)

Argues that the grammar of a language can be viewed as the systematic way that it works and, like everything else in life, grammar is subject to change. (JL)

Ways are described in which studies on grammaticalization in second-language learning are a challenge for second-language acquisition theory. This article introduces four articles on grammaticalization. (21 references) (LB)

Some instances of linguistic development in second-language acquisition are examined that might be subsumed under the issue of grammaticalization. Some evidence is drawn from data on the acquisition of Italian. Implications for both general linguistic theory and language acquisition research are discussed. (61 references) (Author/LB)

Data from 82 native speakers of Chinese were used to test a hypothesis about the topic in Chinese. The basic characteristics are those of being a nominal and serving as an interclausal link, and the hypothesis is revised to consist of these two as primary attributes. The Chinese prototype and the universal topic are compared. (Contains 20…

Discusses changes in methods of teaching foreign languages in universities since the 1960s. Suggests that there are islands of effective instruction of a communication-based nature in French and in German. (RS)

Presents eight problems in the description of English, inviting readers to comment or provide solutions to the conundrums. Suggestions and solutions for eight previous conundrums are included. Most focus on semantic or grammatical points that might puzzle learners of English as a Second Language (ESL). (MDM)

Summarizes and comments on two recent books, one by Birgit Harley and the other by David Singleton, that review the language research carried out to determine the importance of age in learning a second language. (CFM)

Two mnemonic devices, "4A Rule" and "PERFECT," are described to simplify the learning of two grammar points: the placement of object pronouns with respect to commands and the distinction between "por" and "para." (five references) (LB)

Vygotskian psycholinguistics is not only compatible with current second-language acquisition (SLA) theory but also serves as productive example within which to conduct research and theory building. Three sections of the paper support the following claims: an overview of Vygotskian concepts, a summary of selected Vygotsky-based SLA research, and a…

Four self-access centers (SAC) are described, as well as their rationale, human resources, and end users. A framework for establishing a SAC is proposed; an informed decision about the type of self-access system, based on the rationale of the institution and the human resources available, will ensure a system suited to end users. (Contains 13…

Reanalyzes the notion of consciousness raising in language learning. It is suggested that there are different ways of making input salient and different ways in which salience may affect the learner's knowledge and performance in the second language. (20 references) (JL)

Examines the concept of consciousness in second-language research. After defining theoretical assumptions and reviewing a number of controversies in the psycholinguistic and second-language literature, it is argued that the terms conscious and unconscious have acquired too much surplus meaning and should be abandoned in favor of clearly defined…

Provides a history of validation in language testing, discusses current approaches to validation in language testing (hypothesis about testing outcomes, relevant evidence for testing the hypothesis, developing a validity argument), and gives an overview of current challenges in language-test validation (defining the language construct to be…