The history of language learning and teaching in Britain

This article provides an introduction, based on the most recent research available, to the history of language learning and teaching (HoLLT) in Britain. After an overview of the state of research, I consider which languages have been learnt, why and how that has changed; the role of teachers and tests in determining what was taught; changes in how languages have been taught (and why); and the emergence of the modern infrastructure of language teaching policy and practice. I conclude with case study of the contribution of Walter Rippmann, a key figure, in the period 1895 to ca. 1920, a time of professionalisation of language teaching and of efforts towards innovation and change, which set the agenda for many of the major developments of the twentieth century, including a call for scientifically based language teaching and a greater emphasis on the spoken language

Body condition, sex and elevation in relation to mite parasitism in a high mountain gecko

Parasitism is one of the main selective forces in nature, strongly affecting host fitness. Still, knowledge is incomplete concerning how variation in probability and intensity of infestation depends on body condition, sex or geographic variables. Here, I study the variation in probability and intensity of infestation of bloodsucking mites parasitizing the Atlas day gecko (Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus) depending on host body condition, sex and elevation, in the High Atlas (Morocco). Parasite prevalence was 58.75%, and probability of infection decreased with host body condition. However, parasitism intensity tended to increase with body condition. The parasite load ranged from 0 to 16 mites per individual, with a mean intensity of 3.0 ± 0.37 (se) in infested geckos. Prevalence was higher in males (2/3 parasitized) than in females (1/2 parasitized), but intensity did not significantly differ with sex. Neither prevalence nor intensity varied with elevation. In conclusion, geckos in better body condition harboured heavier parasite loads, but animals with the highest body condition were not infested. These findings suggest that animals with good body condition may tolerate heavier mite infestations, but only animals with the highest body condition may resist infestation