The opinions of second language learning (L2) theorists and researchers are divided over whether to use authentic or simplified reading texts as the means of input for beginning- and intermediate-level L2 learners. Advocates of both approaches cite the use of linguistic features, syntax, and discourse structures as important elements in support of…

Proposes a discourse-based approach to analysis of coherence in the teaching philosophies of language instructors. Background is provided by the reflective practice model, which highlights social ontology and personal appropriation of foreign language teaching expertise. An exploratory study confirms the utility of examining conceptual metaphors…

Argues that student teacher portfolios are a viable, effective, appropriate tool for documenting teacher growth and development and for promoting reflective practice. Traces the unique paths of two pre-service foreign language teachers who constructed a professional identity from the historical and cultural conditions of their classroom…

Views the experiences of a limited-English-speaking Liberian child of limited educational background in relation to her teacher's beliefs about language, acculturation, natural cognitive processes, and cooperative learning. Argues that in the case of linguistic minority children in mainstream classrooms, powerful ideas viewed from a sociocultural…

Demonstrates how a constructivist approach to teacher education helps inexperienced teachers understand learning and teaching of aspect, a core grammatical concept. By consciously experiencing the process of narration, apprentice teachers construct deeper awareness of form/meaning aspectual correlations of the target language. More generally,…

Discussion of important influences on language teachers and their teaching focuses on the social context of the school and on negative and positive influences of administration. Administrative support is suggested as an important means of instructional improvement. Criticisms of foreign language teacher education are examined, and use of critical…

Suggests second language acquisition research can help promote change in language teachers' methodological beliefs and practices. Drawing on diffusion of innovations research, an area of sociological inquiry, examines a theoretical framework for understanding change in language education, and discusses practical applications supporting…

This paper describes a combining arrangement in which language learners work in teams and are forced to communicate with each other to obtain correct information to complete certain work. Active participation helps develop language and communication skills. Several variations on the technique are described. (CHK)

Presents a learning transfer principle, based on transfer theory and contrastive analysis, as a solution to the inductive-deductive controversy in second language teaching methodology. (AM)

Reviews current foreign language teaching methodology as it concerns the organization of the lesson into phases, and presents an alternate phase-sequence entailing linguistic environment, application, remedial, monitor, and feedback phases. (AM)

This article presents a survey of textbooks for second-year college Spanish courses published in the last ten years. (CFM)

Outlines a lesson in a college Spanish class in which the students were shown the close relationship between Spanish and Portuguese. This kind of class not only makes the students more conscious of the relatedness of languages but also can stimulate their interest in studying another language. (CFM)

This article outlines the final lesson of a foreign language class based on the theme "Going Out," which provides a review of the entire course work and at the same time provides new vocabulary to the students. (CFM)

Suggests having foreign language students write business letters to stimulate interest in developing writing skills. This project gives the students the opportunity of travelling abroad vicariously and to collect souvenirs while improving their communication skills in the foreign language. (CFM)

This article discusses the use of books, concrete experiences, and poetry as springboards to creative writing in the foreign language classroom. Examples are given for each of the three techniques. (CFM)