The purpose of this study was to determine whether language aptitude and the use of language strategies predict pronunciation gains in second language (L2) acquisition. A second goal was to determine whether these factors differed depending on whether learning occurred in an English as a second language (ESL) or English as a foreign language (EFL) learning context. Eighty-six ESL students in the United States and one hundred EFL students in China were asked to take the Pimsleur language aptitude test. The top 15 or 16 and lowest 15 or 16 scorers on this test from each group were asked to complete a test of pronunciation proficiency and a pronunciation strategies inventory at the beginning and end of a 10-week speaking class in which they were enrolled. The pre and post pronunciation tests were rated and pronunciation proficiency gains in global foreign accent, fluency, comprehensibility and accuracy were compared to both Pimsleur test scores and use of pronunciation strategies before and after training. Results indicated that general language aptitude did not predict pronunciation gains regardless of type of setting (ESL or EFL), but that auditory aptitude may be linked to pronunciation proficiency. Analyses revealed that specific pronunciation strategies were strong predictors of pronunciation gain for comprehensibility and accuracy gains. The findings for this study suggest that pronunciation strategies seem to play a bigger role in pronunciation improvement than language aptitude and are effective in both ESL and EFL settings.

This research paper analyzes how different L2 textbooks in lower secondary school relateto speaking proficiency, in reference to the curriculum. It also investigates how thetextbooks approach speaking proficiency activities differently. The aim of my study istherefore to investigate if and how contemporary textbooks for learning English in lowersecondary school stimulate the development of speaking proficiency. To answer thesequestions, I compare four textbooks, through a content analysis based on the knowledgerequirements for speaking proficiency in English, in year 9. The results show that therecently published books have more activities that help develop speaking proficiency,namely Focus and Sparks. These books also have more activities in groups, which is adifferent approach than the textbook Primetime, which only provides activities in pairs.All books have activities connected to the requirements. However, Focus and Sparks havesignificantly more activities where all requirements are combined. This suggests that thetextbooks recently published prioritize speaking proficiency activities using discussions.The findings of this study are that the textbooks researched relate to the requirementsdifferently. More recent books follow the requirements to a greater extent, helpingstudents develop their speaking proficiency more efficiently.

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The purpose of this thesis is to look at effective reading instruction and assessment in the early years of education to determine appropriate forms of assessment and practice for identifying struggling readers. Many American students are struggling with reading problems. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 31% of fourth graders in America were reading proficiently in 2005. To determine a potential cause of reading problems, particularly in comprehension, I look at what is considered to be best practice in teaching children to read. I then evaluate how elementary assessment, which relies heavily on fluency, can contribute to an overemphasis of fluency instruction. I argue this overemphasis of fluency instruction and lack of instruction in comprehension could be a cause of students' reading difficulties not being recognized until later grades. To avoid assessing students purely on fluency, I look at other forms of assessment, that include measures of comprehension assessment, which could provide a clearer picture of students' reading proficiency. I then examine intervention programs and practices that may be most appropriate for remediation. I argue interventions are best when they are tailored to the specific needs of the individual student, and so, schools should avoid purchasing packaged programs. Finally, I discuss a need for more research on seeing if there is a causal connection between a shift in practice to include more comprehension instruction in the early elementary years and fewer reading problems in the secondary years. / Urban Education