Outlines social psychological approach to language and ethnicity which allows understanding processes underlying group members' desires to create distinctive ethnolinguistic varieties. Evaluates Gardner's and Clement's social psychological models of second language acquisition in interethnic contexts; proposes specific social psychological…

This study considers the relationship between Cajun ethnicity and the intergenerational transmission of the French language. The commonsensical assumption of a positive relationship between ethnic identity and language transmission is questioned. It is suggested that if an ethnicity is associated with socioeconomic disadvantages, then the greater…

Charts the recent debates in France in response to the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages that, if ratified and implemented, would grant limited protection to minority regional languages there. Examines the tenor and substance of the debates surrounding the fate of the charter. Argues that much of its opposition rests on France's…

This paper reports on the results of survey data examining English-speaking preservice teachers' (PSTs) attitudes toward and beliefs about foreign language teaching and learning. Part of a larger international study aimed at answering the research question: "What are the national, social, economic, and institutional "social-suggestive…

In a surprise announcement in December 1996 in a speech at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, the late Nigerian Head of State, General Sani Abacha said "Nigeria is resolutely launching a programme of national language training that will in a short order, permit our country to become thoroughly bilingual". General Abacha's…

A comparison of bilingual college students learning a third language with monolinguals learning a second language indicated that the bilingual students' metalinguistic awareness provided them with an advantage over monolingual students. Another comparison found that bilingual students with formal language training had an advantage over bilingual…

Examines current assumptions regarding psychological assessment of immigrant and minority language children. It is argued that immigrant children usually acquire fluent surface skills in their second language sooner than conceptual and literacy skills. Potential skills of current assessment techniques are discussed with recommendations for…

Using vitality theory as a framework, investigates whether support for English-only policies among Anglo-Americans is related to perceptions about growing Latino group vitality and the presence of Spanish in the linguistic landscape. Conducted a telephone survey in Santa Barbara, California. Found Anglo-Americans' perceptions of growing latino…

Provides a brief overview of the sociolinguistic situation in which the Catalan immersion program is being implemented and discusses the issues related to the main feature that distinguishes the program--the low socioeconomic background of the students. Also discussed are current theories about the discontinuity between the language used at home…

Results gained by traditional language teaching at school are discussed, and a program, developed from research on second-language acquisition, is presented for teaching second language in schools that entails two phases. (13 references) (JL)

Research on the links between bilingualism and emotion suggests that when a second language is learned postpuberty or in adulthood, the two languages of an individual may differ in their emotional impact. The works of bilingual writer Nancy Huston offer unique insight into the process of ascribing differential emotional value to first and second…

Drawing on data from 14 communities in California and Texas, this paper examines the variability in language and literacy resources across communities with large numbers of Latino families. Spanish-speaking children live in communities that vary considerably with respect to language use, ethnic composition and education levels. Children's…

Discusses the role of the school in supporting minority group identity, particularly through language maintenance programs. While language shift may not be countered by schools acting in isolation, identity can be maintained through periods of language shift. (Author/CB)

Describes two experiments to evaluate acquisition of /r/ and /l/ involving native Japanese children and adults residing in the United States. The first required subjects to produce and discriminate English /r/ and /l/ in listening and speaking. Children's performance was better than adults'. In the second, the subject received programed training.…

Reports on a longitudinal study of the acquisition of English-German bilingualism by two Australian-born children who communicated with the father in German and with others in English. The problems of creating and fostering bilingualism under such circumstances is examined. Communication patterns within the family are also discussed. (Author/PJM)