Teachers of English as a second language in Japan often have difficulty in stimulating spontaneous classroom discussion; Japanese social and classroom custom dictates subdued and respectful student behavior. Suggestions for overcoming this inhibition are made. (CHK)

To improve preparation of school administrators, attention must be given the issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and social class. Two studies are presented. One, entitled "Preparation of Educational Administrators for the 21st Century: Graduate Student Voices on Issues of Diversity" (Joan Poliner Shapiro, Laurence Parker) captures the perspectives…

The spontaneous language behavior of 100 mother-child pairs was observed in an effort to link it with social class membership. Results indicated that some differences in verbalizations existed and furnished support for the socio-linguistic theories of Basil Bernstein. (Author/SDH)

The impact of sex and gender in the teaching of sociology is discussed, and four stages in the development of sex and gender courses within the sociology curriculum are delineated. Currently sex and gender sociology courses emphasize the diversity of human experience. Pedagogical challenges are examined. (Author/RM)

Educational researchers must clarify the distinction between the terms "ethnicity" and "ethnic membership." The use of broad terms based on easily observed traits, such as racial characteristics or language, has infiltrated otherwise well-executed studies and undermined their validity. (PP)

Critically analyzes the different arguments presented in an article by James S. Frideres to support his assertion that provincial governments in Canada are consciously and systematically attempting to destroy the social and cultural framework of the Hutterite culture. (EB)

Reconsiders S.M. Lipset's thesis on value differences between Canadians and Americans. Uses data from national surveys to test Lipset's argument. Analyses reveal no national differences or differences that are opposite to those hypothesized by Lipset. Speculates on contemporary reasons for new findings. Discusses inherent difficulties associated…

Analyzes responses of Brazilian and American students to measures of behavioral intention, perceived norms, and feelings regarding prosocial behaviors in both public and anonymous conditions. Concludes that Brazilians had internalized ingroup norms but that Americans had complied with norms because of social desirability pressures. (FMW)

Studies perceptions of causal attributions pertinent to success and failure in two social class groups from Belgium, West Germany, India, South Korea, and England. Found high agreement among the two social classes as well as among four of the nations, but Indians rated all causes as more external, variable, and uncontrollable. (FMW)

Examines the effects of linguistic and cultural diversity on the educational achievement of working class and minority students by reappraising the deficit/difference controversy of the 1960s and 1970s and examines how class and politics shape both cultural-linguistic and school-based assumptions about language and literacy. (Author/BJV)

Research review suggests that differences in the quality and quantity of social relations are related to well-being and aging well. Some differences are socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and ethnic. The perception versus actuality of social relationships also has an effect on well-being. (SK)

Presents examples of discourse in classroom interaction that show how social relations in the classroom mirror larger societal relationships in ways that exclude students' cultural and linguistic practices as resources for meaningful literacy learning. Shows how this discourse process (called reciprocal distancing) is used by teachers and students…

American alcohol education and prevention efforts for youth emphasize abstinence. In support of this approach, epidemiologists conclude that early drinking by adolescents increases the lifetime likelihood of alcohol dependence and that overall drinking levels in a society are directly linked to drinking problems. At the same time, cultural,…

Objective: The aims of the study were to examine weight concerns, dieting and eating behaviours in a group of Israeli-Arab schoolgirls as compared with Israeli-Jewish schoolgirls, as well as to investigate the reliability of the Arabic (Palestinian) version of the eating disorder inventory-2 (EDI-2). Method: The sample consisted of 2548 Israeli…

This paper reports on a locally initiated investigation into the suitability of the Internet in helping to meet the information needs of women in small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the textile industry in Botswana. The background is the stated government policy to encourage the development of SMMEs and the Internet infrastructure. The…