Different theories of programed instruction are compared and contrasted, and their application in the language laboratory is discussed. Chapters on programing theories include: (1) Skinner and linear programing, (2) Crowder and intrinsic programing, (3) Pressey and complementary programing, (4) Gilbert and mathetics, and (5) computer assisted instruction. Programing for the language laboratory is considered, concentrating on the setting of objectives and the appraisal of results. Advantages and disadvantages of several extant literature and phonetics programs are pointed out. An appendix includes a number of program extracts. A subject-author bibliography, indexes, and a table of abbreviations are furnished. (AF)