My sincerest thanks go to Dr. Rod Ellis for his constant support, guidance, and invaluable assistance throughout this project from designing this study to writing the final draft. I also wish to thank Dr. J. D. Brown whose expertise proved indispensable in interpreting the results of this study. The perceptive and beneficial recommendations made by the remaining committee members Dr. Gladys Valcourt, Dr. Philip Evanson, and Dr. John LeBourgeois were also greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank Dr. Kenneth Schaefer for his unflagging support and encouragement. I also wish to thank Dr. Teresa Pica and Dr. Charlene Sato for their insightful suggestions. Thanks also go out to Mr. Joseph Caruselle, Mr. Richard Osner, and Dr. Jerald Bloom of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools whose support enabled me to conduct this study. From Yokota East Elementary School, I would like to thank faculty members Ms. Melody Terasaki and Ms. Barbara Willis, for their assistance in conducting the treatment phase of this study; Ms. Claire Coffey, for her assistance in analyzing the data; and let me not fail to mention the splendid cooperation of the kindergarten ESL students. Finally, I cannot thank my daughters, Elliko and Mariko, enough for their boundless inspiration and for all they have taught me about language acquisition.