Adults participating in an Ulpan method Welsh program were surveyed to determine their motivation for learning Welsh and for choosing an intensive course. Integration was found to be the major motivating factor for studying Welsh and the students believed that an immersion setting would result in superior language learning. (JL)

Presents a demographic approach to the study of linguistic minorities, focusing on major analytical issues, particular data needs, and research possibilities. The approach's potential in the study of second-language acquisition, language maintenance, and shift pertaining to linguistic minorities is illustrated. (40 references) (Author/CB)

Provides information on the educational system in the Basque Country and insight into the Basque Country and Basque language and the reverse language shift efforts made to date. Suggests that the effects of bilingualism and immersion programs are beneficial in the Basque context. (Author/VWL)

Presents a detailed study of the language planning situation in Sweden with particular emphasis on minority languages. Suggests Swedish language policies towards minorities have been nationalistic, reluctant, and directed towards assimilation. (Author/VWL)

Examines the Irish language community in Northern Ireland, and questions the validity of the census results of 1991. Particular focus is on the concept of a mother tongue and its relevance for speakers of Irish in the United Kingdom. Discusses measures to improve the status of Irish as a result of the Good Friday Agreement. (Author/VWL)

Discusses English medium teaching in Pakistan and suggests that at the moment it is an elitist preserve and a stumbling block for Pakistanis not taught through English. Indicates that exposing other students to English could counteract growing cultural and religious intolerance in Pakistan. (Author/VWL)

Discussion of a study of eight-year-olds' acquisition of English during formal classroom situations notes advantages in introducing linguistic familiarity at an early school age, including beneficial effect upon cognitive growth, prevention of the development of ethnocentric tendencies, and increased motivation to learn a second language.…

Describes a study done to explore the impact of socioeconomic variables on ego-attitudes in second language learners, 12-16 years of age. There were significant differences between the children of professional and the children of working class parents in IQ and vocabulary but not in inferential comprehension.(SED)

Examines the predictive validity of the "Attitude/Motivation Test Battery" (Gardner, et al, 1979), specifically the three composite measures derived from the battery--motivation, integrativeness, and attitudes toward the learning situation. Results demonstrate that the three factors are relatively consistent predictors of second language…

Aims at providing a basis for reviewing cultural transmission in learning English as a second language. What is contended here is that language learning is culture learning, and cultural competence consists of the ability to draw from any culture, native or other, with a sense of discernment and purpose. (SED)

The educational policy of the kingdom of Tonga, located in the South Pacific, boasts a high level of literacy in both English and the vernacular language (Tongan), making this country a thriving example of national biliteracy. While written English serves external relations, higher level administrative or educational functions, written Tongan…

Analyzes and compares the Canadian francophone minorities of Ontario and New Brunswick in order to see how well they have done in preserving their identity and in achieving economic success. The analysis is performed with data from the 1981 and 1991 censuses. (Author/JL)

Challenges the established view that European schools are elitist institutions. The article argues that through their reported success in language teaching and the Europeanising effect of their structure, a new model has been created for the education of linguistic minorities in Europe in the late 20th century. (43 references) (Author/CK)

Drawing on sociolinguistic research, points out that some patterns of socially appropriate language use in Indonesia actually involve Indonesian only to the extent that those interacting wish to maintain social distance, while regional languages are used to promote closer social ties. Suggests Indonesian programs require some rethinking in view of…

Compares how bilingualism is perceived and how languages are used in two different groups of cross-native/community language (CNCL) families: Japanese-non-English CNCL families and Japanese-English (CNCL) families. A questionnaire survey found differences between the two groups. (Author/VWL)