The oral interview may be viewed as a criterion-referenced test for making either/or decisions about functional use of spoken language. Speech production can be tested by either the oral interview or the Valdis (1972) "Performance Objectives for Speaking," and dialogue between the two systems can be profitable. Current literature on…

This study examines the usage of the auxiliaries "avoir" and "etre" in the passe compose and pluperfect. The study is primarily based on a sample of French written by agroup of grade 9 Franco-Ontarian pupils from the Sudbury region. The students' written French is shown to include a high proportion of cases where intransitive…

The teaching of the Chinese language in the United States needs first to depart from the classical attitude that the sole goal is research, and to include among its objectives the occupational needs of all types of learners. To meet the problem of student "nomadism" at home and abroad, there should be certification of all transfers in terms of…

This study tests the hypothesis that disadvantaged children learn more from interaction with advantaged children in Head Start classrooms than when grouped solely with other disadvantaged children. Subjects were 32 disadvantaged children who were assigned to two experimental groups of eight each and a control group of 16. Eight advantaged children…

The first field testing of the Adult Basic Education Oral Language video tapes, conducted during 1968-69, included five television video lessons and used three testing conditions: a classroom condition with video exposure, a classroom condition with video exposure and follow-up drills conducted by a teacher, and a home condition with video…

Both the potential and the limitations of radio for foreign language instruction are described, as well as its relevance for students of different proficiency levels. The author's personal experiences serve as the basis for recommendation of a six-band, shortwave, quality reception table and a listing of foreign language shortwave broadcasts…

The author states that in those classrooms where the dual-language-model approach is implemented on a daily basis, second language acquisition takes place faster than in those classrooms where adherence to the model is ignored or used sporadically. According to this approach, each model functions independently utilizing teaching techniques common…

Proposes a four-semester plan for a foreign language program designed to fulfill degree requirements. The plan emphasizes audiolingual and reading skills and attempts to provide students with at least a minimal level of proficiency. (AM)

Investigation of native English-speaking adults' and native Spanish-speaking children's acquisition of noun gender and its function in Spanish revealed significant differences in first- and second-language acquisition, suggesting a developmental progression in acquisition of noun gender for both groups. (Author/CB)

A discussion of trends in foreign language testing covers current preferences in test types (especially for oral proficiency testing) and external influences on instructional program development and student evaluation strategies. (MSE)

Central Missouri State University's Department of Modern Languages' summer study program uses such techniques as small group work, student journal-keeping, community contact, and independent travel to help students build language skills. Students' final grades are based on these criteria. (CB)

Discusses the role of second-language proficiency from international, national, and state perspectives, including consideration of the need for such proficiency in science, technology, and research for economic development. Trends indicate that a more internationalized curricula in higher education and a greater demand for second-language…

Study of native speakers of Yoruba who spoke English as a second language found that transfer of learning from one language to the other decreased with increasing proficiency in English. Transfer from Yoruba to English was higher than from English to Yoruba at lower levels of proficiency in English. (Author/CB)

Discusses findings from an empirical investigation of the effects of bilingualism (Spanish-English) on the creativity of language minority children in terms of the cognitive processes of divergent and convergent thinking, and the linguistic process of metaphorizing in the context of formulating scientific hypotheses. (Author/CB)

Describes the revision of the program of study for foreign language majors at Bates College (Maine). The strengthening of the college's literature component and cultural studies are recommended for other small, liberal arts colleges. (CB)