With the advent of online synopses, e-guides, and Internet study aids, millennial college students have many ways to evade direct interactions with the texts assigned in humanities classes. As a result, fewer and fewer of them are developing the analytical and close reading skills that college instructors value so highly. In this essay, the author…

The usefulness of the dictionary as a reliable source of information for word meanings, spelling, and pronunciation is widely recognized. But even in these obvious matters, the information that the dictionary has to offer is not always accurately interpreted. With respect to pronunciation there seem to be two general pitfalls: (1) the…

In this article, the author shares how efficient and effective Google Documents is for faculty seeking to engage students in inquiry-based, emergent, and primary research in first-year composition courses. The specific appeal of Google Documents is that it occupies a space between "open source"--defined by the Open Source Initiative as "free,…

For successful and productive careers, undergraduate students need effective communication and critical thinking skills; information literacy is a substantial component in the development of these skills. Students often perceive communication courses as distinct and separate from their chosen discipline. Faculty from the Departments of English and…

As online research has become an increasingly standard activity for middle school and high school students, Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org) has simultaneously emerged as the bane of many teachers who include research-focused assignments in their courses. An online encyclopedia that allows anyone to edit its entries, Wikipedia has educators…

This paper discusses the Cox Committee for English (England) proposals and suggests some theoretical and practical approaches to teaching about the exchange of information through a media education perspective, especially news reporting. Findings are based on research into approaches to media education presented in a series of broadcast radio…

A description of the role and status of English language use and instruction in Australia looks at English within the education systems of the seven states and the Australian Capital Territory at all levels, both for native speakers and students of English as a second language. The following areas are also examined (1) the use of English by…

Describes the use of CyberQuest, a cooperative-learning activity developed to help focus secondary English-education students on productive processes for assessing Web-based educational materials and incorporating them into the classroom. Discusses implications of student responses to CyberQuest. (AEF)

A review of the status of English language instruction in Kuwait begins with an overview of the role of English in the society in general, and outlines the status of English use and instruction in the educational system in secondary, higher, vocational, adult, and teacher education. Also discussed are characteristics and training of English…

Describes the use of a modified version of the I-Search writing process for a high school freshman English research paper. Topics include collaboration between the classroom teacher and the teacher librarian, student journals, research strategies, problem solving, recognizing bias and opinions in sources, student assessments, and teacher…

An analysis of the status of English language use and instruction in Malawi begins with an overview of the role of English and percentage of individuals literate in English. Subsequent sections outline: (1) the role of English within the educational system at all levels, including primary, teacher, and adult education; (2) the present number and…

A description of the role and status of the English language in the Yemen Arab Republic begins with a general statement concerning the distribution of English speakers and the use of English language materials. Subsequent sections outline: (1) the use and status of English within the educational system at all levels, including teacher education;…

A description of the role and status of the English language in Cameroon begins with an overview of the distribution of English speakers and the common uses of English. Subsequent sections outline (1) the use and status of English within the educational system at all levels, including teacher education; (2) the availability of English language…

A description of the role and status of the English language in Iraq begins with an overview of the distribution of English speakers and the most common uses of English. Subsequent sections outline: (1) the use and status of English within the educational system at all levels, including teacher education; (2) the availability of English language…

A summary of the state of English language instruction in Belgium outlines the role and status of English usage in that country; English instruction at 11 levels of the instructional system, including elementary and secondary education in Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels, university instruction, examinations, and correspondence courses; English…