Research on second language reading and writing development in children suggests (1) children who speak little English are reading some of the print in their environment, (2) they can read English before they have complete oral control of it, (3) their comprehension is influenced by their knowledge and culture, and (4) their second language…

Presents key aspects of the whole-language perspective; describes examples of whole-language principles in practice in elementary, secondary and adult English-as-a-Second-Language programs; and reviews recent whole-language research on second-language development. (56 references) (VWL)

Presents results of a survey of administrators in Florida public schools who oversee the implementation of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction. Reviews the origins and philosophies of inclusion and separation approaches to ESL in public schools. Reports widely varying opinions concerning approaches to ESL. (Author/VWL)

Addresses some of the recent debates regarding second-language acquisition (SLA). Draws on studies of school restructuring and argues that SLA needs to be understood as an institutional phenomenon, because the ways in which schools are structured present or constrain possibilities for language use and development. (Author/VWL)

The challenges faced by deaf students learning English are very different from those of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. These differences include the amount of linguistic input, motivation, language attitudes, and the use of a visual-spatial language. (38 references) (Author/CB)

Describes a reflective language learning experience that is part of one Hong Kong university's preservice program based on a reflective approach to teacher education. Participants study a language that is totally new to them. This lets them reflect on language teaching from the perspective of the learners whom they will teach when they become…

A review of recent classroom research regarding writing processes reveals ways in which contextual factors affect student learning. Teachers should investigate the relationship between teaching and writing development in their own classrooms. (Author/CB)

Reports on a one-year examination of two urban teacher study groups. Data from participant observations and journal notes indicated that there were five themes: tensions about knowledge, alliance with traditional professional development structures, ways of working with one another, understanding the educational needs of English language learners,…

An evaluation of a Des Moines program, in which the relationship of student background and program achievement was examined, is summarized. It was found that more instruction in English was beneficial in the first year of schooling, but had diminishing effects during the second and third years. Implications for similar programs are discussed. (MSE)

This article examines how children and adolescents learn language and literacy, arguing that the crux of learning occurs through social interaction in which content is being discussed and negotiated. It also reviewed emerging issues related to the improvement of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction in elementary and secondary schools.…

Analysis of the length of time required for limited English proficient students (N=1,548) to become proficient in English for academic purposes while receiving instruction in English in all subject areas indicated that at least four to eight years may be required for subjects to reach national grade-level norms of native speakers. (Author/CB)

Examines how classroom cultures in the United States and Asia are discursively constructed by researchers in applied linguistics and education. Suggests that the literature of applied linguistics and some in education compares idealized perspectives of U.S. classrooms with more typical images of classrooms in Asia. (Author/VWL)

The Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) provides transitional instruction for upper elementary and secondary students (at intermediate and advanced levels of English as a second language) through three components: a curriculum correlated with mainstream content subjects; academic language development activities; and learning…

Reports on findings from the first phase of an ongoing research project that is investigating English-language learners in middle school social studies classrooms. The article analyzes features of social studies academic language from text and classroom discourse and reviews cultural diversity as it is represented in popular textbooks. (Contains…

An open-ended questionnaire (in appendix) was administered to 162 New Jersey teachers who had limited English proficient (LEP) students in their classrooms but had no training in ESL. The responses indicate the difficulties that regular classroom teachers encounter in integrating LEP students socially and academically into the regular setting.…