An Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) may be evaluated either during the interview procedure (direct-method) or from a tape-made oral interaction (semi-direct method). Such variety in methods of assessment can influence test takers' scores extensively. However, it is not conclusive whether such differences are due to test format or something else.…

Commissioner's Rules Concerning the State Plan for Educating English Language Learners (ELLs) states that all school districts that are required to provide bilingual education and/or English as a second language (ESL) programs establish and operate a Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). The LPACs are charged with reviewing all…

The Zanzibar Ministry of Education instituted an English reading program into all secondary schools in 1989 to raise the levels of English teaching and learning (English being the medium of instruction and testing from secondary level and beyond). The program description and conclusions include implications for program design and implementation.…

The inability of limited English proficient (LEP) children to profit from instruction in English can lead to nonacademic courses, failure, and dropping out. The two basic types of educational programs, bilingual programs and English language programs, are described. (MT)

The following articles on second language learning are collected here: (1) "Second-Language Study: Historical Background and Current Status" by Kenneth D. Chastain; (2) "The Value of Second-Language Learning" by Gilbert A. Jarvis; (3) "Psychology and Linguistics as Bases for Language Pedagogy" by Wilga M. Rivers; (4) "Differentiation of Language…

Discusses multiple challenges faced by community-based English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and adult-literacy programs, explaining how to integrate ESL instruction into existing literacy programs, respond to diverse student needs, create community partnerships to support and fund the ESL program, contribute back to the community, and build capacity…

The numbers and status of limited- English-proficient (LEP) students who are supported by federal funds appropriated under the Bilingual Education Act are reported. The investigation included interviews with officials of relevant state and federal agencies, reviews of state reports and pertinent studies, and collection of statistical information…

It seems irrefutable that the world is progressing in concert with computer science. Educational applications and projects for first and second language acquisition have not been left behind. However, currently it seems that the reputation of completely computer-based language learning courses has taken a nosedive, and, consequently there has been…

This report of the New Hampshire Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights contends that the Manchester, New Hampshire, school department has failed to provide adequate bilingual instruction for language minority students in that district, as specified by the provisions of Title VI and the "Lau v. Nichols" decision. It…

This report presents evaluative information of the effectiveness of the Career Awareness and Resource Education (Project CARE) program in New York City. The program served 346 students of limited English proficiency. Participating students received instruction in English as a second language ESL, native language arts (NLA), the content areas, and…

This booklet aims to help educators make informed decisions about which students need special language services, what kind of services they should receive, and how well the students and the language program have succeeded. It focuses on the following issues: (1) how the larger social context affects teachers' decisions and students' success; (2)…

Describes an advanced training course for English teachers that attempts to help students reconsider and refocus their prior professional experience through sharing it with other professionals. Experience is reconsidered in the light of state-of-the-art understanding coming from linguistics and psychology. (Author)

The first section of the ninth annual report of the National Advisory and Coordinating Council on Bilingual Education (NACCBE) provides an overview of the Council's functions and activities. It also discusses current bilingual education law; the changed structure of the advisory council; the new doors opened by the 1984 Amendments of the Bilingual…

This report presents evaluative information concerning Project Math and Science, a New York City program that provided instruction in English as a second language (ESL), native language arts (NLA), and bilingual instruction in the content areas of mathematics and science. The project also provided teachers of participating students (630 mostly…

Describes the growth of a Mien refugee community in Montgomery, Alabama, and the development of community educational and employment services to aid these refugees. Also discusses Mien cultural characteristics. (GC)