While noting the research on the benefits of learner interaction, this article states that more attention needs to be given to strategies for planning successful group work while avoiding the problems that can come with group activities. The author gives guidelines for forming groups, such as how many students to put in each group, whether to use flexible or fixed groupings, and how to divide students (by personal affiliation, oral language ability, personality, L1, and academic interests). Also addressed are guidelines for designing tasks and assigning group roles.

This article describes Alaska, the 49th state of the U.S. It presents facts about Alaska’s native people and their life style, history, transportation, and education. It also provides a text about “Iditarod,” which is an annual sled-dog race, held in Alaska since 1973.

"Abstracts from Other Journals” discusses three articles from other journals on different issues related to second or foreign language teaching. The first is on “A Defence of Simplification” by I. S. P. Nation and Jean Paul Deweerdt, from Prospect. The second is “Building Community and Posting Projects: Creating ‘Student Pages’ in Web-Based and Web-Enhanced Courses” by Laura G. McGee, from Foreign Language Annals. The third is “Realism and Imagination in the Teaching of English”by Anthea Fraser Gupta, from World Englishes.

This article reflects on the articles published at the third decade of Forum (1983-1992) to present theoretical perspectives and classroom practices discussed in the past ten years. It addresses four articles which focus on the communicative approach and related concepts, such as authentic use of the target language, learner-centered activities, and group work.