Foreign Language Assessment

How accurately do you feel that classroom-based tests reflect student abilities? What are your experiences as a test-taker? Do you think there are students that do not test well? What method of testing do you think is most effective to measure students' language skills? Use examples to justify your point of view.

Please watch this video and comment on it. 

Teaching Culture

In your view, how should the target culture be learned or taught? Is it possible to teach culture and develop students' intercultural competence in the classroom setting? Why and why not? What are the limitations? Use examples to support your points of view. Be sure to watch this video and share your observations. 

Free Topic

Choose a topic of your interest and write your own entry concerning L2 teaching and learning. Be sure to ask a few questions. You also need to comment on your peers' postings.

Role of Homework

When (if ever) is homework appropriate for a foreign language class? How should it be used? Do you feel it is ever improperly used? Should homework be given before or after the lesson is taught? Exchange ideas with your peers and be sure to use examples to support your opinions.

Learning Theories: Learning and Teaching L2 Experience

This chapter looks at two main theoretical aspects pertaining to language acquisition: that of the Empiricists and the Rationalists. Two interesting views are: Skinner (Empiricist) a proponent of S-R psychology, supports the idea that language in humans is acquired through a conditioning process; where Chomsky (Mentalist) believes that every human by nature has a universal grammar, and that all humans have the inherent capacity to acquire a language. Through teaching, or your own learning experience, are you able to identify with either of these different approaches, and why?

In your experience with study abroad, which theoretical framework (if any) did you find most pertinent to your teaching and learning while in a foreign country? What factors outside of the classroom do you believe assist and/or impede with the acquisition of a second language? Give examples. 

Foreign Language Requirement

Should a foreign language be required for all students at the university? Why? Express your opinion on this issue. Don't forget to read your peers' postings and respond to them.