Some 115 comments on improving the teaching of foreign languages are organized in a broad variety of categories. They include: (1) class preparation, (2) student-teacher contact, (3) acoustic problems, (4) the role of English, (5) the use of the blackboard, (6) the role of the textbook, (7) grammar, (8) students and their questions, (9) teaching…

The Auditory Discrimination in Depth (A.D.D.) Program suggests that there is a direct relationship between auditory discrimination or auditory perceptual ability and the development of competency in language and literacy skills. (Auditory perceptual ability is defined as the ability to discriminate individual phonemes and to track their changing…

In an effort to support Carroll's premise that there might be a relationship between foreign language aptitude and the degree to which the learner is capable of coping with the pace of language instruction, this study describes the comparative effectiveness of predicting student language learning potential through the Pimsleur Aptitude Battery,…

A comparison was made between disadvantaged, Spanish-speaking elementary school pupils taught science in English by the oral/aural (OAE) method and those taught the same science content in English with non-oral/aural (NOA) instruction. Both the Ott-Jameson Test of individual oral expression and a group, pencil and paper test of responses to spoken…

A recently initiated research program, designed to develop tests and other procedures for improving the selection of military personnel for language training, has attempted to amplify the traditional language aptitude requirement to include systematic non-cognitive measures of the prospective trainee's motivation. (Author/AF)

Research studies from different areas of the country are cited to support a favorable view of the effects of FLES instruction and to identify the most effective FLES instructional arrangements. Effects of FLES instruction on language achievement in elementary and high school and on general achievement in elementary school are noted. A study on…

A preface by Andre Martinet and a brief discussion of the author's approach to research introduce this descriptive study of bilingualism. Various aspects of interference--lexical, grammatical, and phonic are examined. Major emphasis is focused on the role and influence of socio-cultural setting and psychological factors inherent in bilingualism.…

Teachers of German will find 120 items dating from 1960 entered in this alphabetized and annotated bibliography of texts and references. Language entries include material on: (1) grammar, (2) vocabulary, (3) pronunciation, (4) writing and style, (5) syntax, (6) morphology, (7) etymology, (8) dictation, (9) translation exercises, (10) verbs, (11)…

This talk delivered at the 1967 annual meeting of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages examines a statistically-oriented assessment of the foreign language program at Tucson, Arizona. The text includes reprints of 25 transparencies used, largely drawn from the results of two groups of tests: (1) the Modern Language Association…

This speech summarizes the evaluations of the 1962 summer Language Institutes sponsored by the National Defense Education Act (N.D.E.A.) of 1958. Criticisms of the programs include discussion of: (1) institute program flexibility, (2) linguistics, (3) the lecture method of teaching, (4) demonstration classes, (5) methods courses, and (6)…

In this abridged talk concerning the preparation of behavioral objectives for foreign language learning, the author expounds on procedures considered necessary for curriculum development. The four-step model includes: (1) specification of objectives, (2) pre-assessment of previously acquired skills or knowledge, (3) determination of instructional…

A summary of the purpose of the project, a discussion of experiment design, some statistical analysis of test results, and implications are included in this article. Attempting to determine which of three audio-assistance systems--the audio-active, audio-record language laboratory, or the classroom tape recorder--is most effective in foreign…

This comprehensive booklet treats foreign language instruction development, current practices, and observable trends. Sections on the changing role of foreign language instruction and on methodology are emphasized. Social pressures, international events, and changing educational attitudes since the turn of the century are discussed. Methods used…

A two-part experiment seeks to determine the practicability of independent foreign language study using programed materials as a mode of instruction for a limited number of secondary school students of high ability. Discussion of additional objectives, methods, materials, and student attitudes reveals that the process of programed learning…

The pattern drill used in language instruction, termed the "schmattern drill" in this article, is severely criticized for depriving students of meaningful communication opportunities. Methods of alleviating student boredom through the extension of and variation in pattern drill design are illustrated by examples of contrasting "schmattern" and…