Domestic immersion (DI) is an effective context for postsecondary language learning, given that DI's instructor-curated environments promote meaningful second language use while providing abundant support for learners. However, DI is at present understudied within second language acquisition research, especially when compared to its more…

This newsletter presents key observations from a review of BC post-secondary institutional websites undertaken to assess any differences in admission requirements for entry into standard First Year English courses and in institutional English admission requirements. Recommendations are made on possible actions that could be taken to clarify…

Examined differences in the independent and interdependent self-construals of 79 American and 71 East Asian graduate students studying in the United States and the influence of these self-construals on coping and stress. Self-construals and direct coping were the strongest predictors of stress for East Asian students, but were not predictive of…

Describes a study undertaken at Brock University that correlates performance of students in English-as-a-Second-Language courses in spoken and written English with achievement in their other academic courses. (eight references) (GLR)

The need in adult education English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages (ESOL) classes for a simple, effective placement measure that is inexpensive in terms of both cost and time is noted, and results of a study of the predictive validity of the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) on the achievement scores of adult ESOL students are reported. The WRAT…

There has been a growing awareness and concern in recent years about the language proficiency and academic preparedness of refugee/immigrant students at the post-secondary level. Using this population at the General College, University of Minnesota, as subjects, this paper investigate's the relationship between English language proficiency, as…

Proposes a variety of conversational training that maximizes learner autonomy and focuses on sociocultural competence in speaking. Students recorded role-plays that required good sociolinguistic knowledge and then compared the discourse generated with native speaker equivalents. The future of conversational training at third level is discussed in…

Problem areas for the Mexican American female (Chicana) in higher education were investigated and compared to those of the Mexican American male (Chicano). A specific objective was to document the heterogeneity and complexity of the Chicana population and the corresponding variation in educational experiences. An executive summary and full report…