Despite the lack of empirical evidence, the term "foreign language learning disability" (FLLD) has become popular in the learning disabilities (LD) and foreign language literature. I contend that there is not a unique "disability" for foreign language learning and suggest instead that foreign language skills run along a continuum of very strong to…

Eschewing the making of elitist films, French writer/director Cedric Klapisch strives to appeal to a wide population with his largely humorous yet thought-provoking narratives that look compellingly at the relationship between individuals and community. Three of his films that have received U.S. releases--"Chacun cherche son chat" [When the Cat's…

This article addresses Spanish for native speakers (SNS) instruction from the perspective of critical pedagogy, including the critical examination of dominant educational paradigms as well as the proposal of alternative models. Emphasizing the inherently political nature of education and the role of language in the production of knowledge,…

Although we have entered into the 21st century, most institutions of higher learning have not yet realized a routine integration of technology into regular classroom pedagogical practices. This article highlights two of the main concerns of university-level foreign language faculty with respect to incorporating technology into everyday classroom…

Many researchers and practitioners maintain that ACTFL's efforts to improve instructional practices and promote proficiency assessments tied to descriptors of what learners can do in real life have contributed significantly to second language teaching and testing. Similar endeavors in the area of research, however, are critically needed. Focusing…

This article contends that the necessary links between constructs and test scores/decisions in language assessment must be established through principled design procedures that align three models: (1) a theoretical construct model; (2) a test development model; and (3) a psychometric scoring model. The theoretical construct model articulates the…

Examines lesson planning in light of recent research and discussion of foreign language learning and teaching. Aims to give beginning teachers a sense of the recent history of the teaching of foreign languages in North America and the theoretical foundation of the communicative approach to foreign language teaching. (Author/VWL)

Argues nonverbal communication (NVC) forms an important part of everyday speech transmission and should occupy a more central position in second and foreign language teaching than it currently does. Examines the role played by NVC in a three-turn conversational exchange and the literature supporting the notion that speech-related gestures have a…

Discusses how linguistic comparisons can be incorporate into foreign language classroom activities. draws on Slobin's (1996) experimental study, which demonstrated the existence of "the thinking for speaking" form of thought and argues that teaching foreign language entails teaching novel "thinking for speaking operations. (Author/VWL)

Proposes a means by which inflectional paradigms can be promoted from their present status as references at the end of textbooks to a more central role in the language learning process. Suggests a computer setting can enhance this process. (Author/VWL)

Discusses Florida's requirement that staff development be provided to teachers for teaching English-as-a-second-Language students. Colleges of education in Florida crated various professional development models. One of these models is described. (Author/VWL)

Presents a description of "Americans in Paris," a course in English developed to attract nonlanguage majors to French Studies classes. The course focuses on American writers who lived in Paris between 1890 and 1955. Course content showcases input French professors can bring to this cross-disciplinary subject by examining American works through a…

Describes a model for situating an English-as-a- Second-or-Other-Language (ESOL) methods course in a Spanish speaking community. Organized ESOL classes for children and adults in a Latino neighborhood that serve as a practicum for university students working for ESOL teaching endorsements and as a service learning project in the methods course so…

Discusses Tek.Xam, a national standard in technical literacy developed by the Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges, as the framework for six technology modules that are integrated into a representative undergraduate foreign language methodology course. (Author/VWL)

Provides revisions of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) writing guidelines. The proficiency guidelines are presented in a top-down fashion, rather than in a bottom-up order, thereby allowing for more positive descriptive statements for each level and sublevel, stressing what language users can do with the language…