2nd Language Acquisition

Country Case Studies for Intermediate FL Students: Geography

Get intermediate foreign-language students doing research to find data and present it! This brief series will use intermediate Spanish as an example, but it can be easily adapted to any language.

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Jan 7, 2009 to
Language Learning Articles
Lesson Plan: Student Dialogues

Even beginners should be encouraged to write and perform original dialogues in the foreign language they are studying. Learn how to get a lot of mileage out of this experience!

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Jan 7, 2009 to
Language Learning Articles
Second Language: How to Choose?

How to make a rational investment of your time, money and energy when choosing your second language.

Published by Karridine (1929 pts) on Dec 30, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles

Bilingual Schools - Learning to Speak Two Languages at Once!

Imagine a school where your child learnt to speak both English and another language at the same time! Well in Australia, as in many other places around the world, this new concept in education is becoming a reality.

Published by Anne Vize (15016 pts) on Dec 24, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles
Suggestion for a Daily Class Format

Although many teachers use their textbooks as a means to determine their lesson plan for the day, this article offers a metaperspective at the use of class time and the activities that can and should be incorporated into every class, regardless of the grammar lesson and exercises programmed by texts

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Dec 23, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles
Country Case Studies for Intermediate FL Students: History

The second student of the group of four assigned to present a case study of a country covers history. He or she follows the student who has covered geography. Read how to guide the student, providing the a framework most likely to ensure a successful and confidence-building presentation.

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Dec 22, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles

Country Case Studies for Intermediate FL Students: Economy

The student assigned or who volunteers for this third presentation in the four-part series of presentations on a given country, will discuss the economy. This article provides the questions he or she should answer, then assembling them into one presentation of 2-3 mins. For any language.

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Dec 22, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles
Country Case Studies for Intermediate FL Students: Arts & Culture

This is the last of four articles in this series about preparing oral presentations about countries by doing research with material written in the target language to answer basic questions about, respectively, geography, history, economy and finally culture. See format, suggestions, here.

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Dec 22, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles
Using Recorded Segments for Foreign-Language Learning

Nowadays, anyone can go to the web, cable channel or other source and find sound and video to download to an iPod or other device. It's never been easier to find "real" language but how can it be used to maximum advantage? Read here to find out just how many ways it can be used.

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Dec 22, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles
Getting the Most From Textbook Exercises

Foreign-language texts used to have a lot more language in them and less culture. I'm not making this up. I have shelves of textbooks from the 1820s to the present. So, what is a teacher to do if he or she can't make up enough exercises for in-class work? Assign the workbook? I have another idea.

Published by Eric Vogt (14302 pts) on Dec 22, 2008 to
Language Learning Articles