Presents criterion-referenced language test development as a means for linking English-as-a-Second-Language curricula, teacher experience, and language tests. The article concludes with an examination of data from teachers who have used criterion-referenced language test development and discussion of the benefits as a proactive process for…

This National Profile has been prepared as the United States' participation in Phase I of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement's international study of language learning on the secondary level. It presents a complete outline of the state of foreign language learning in the United States from grades 1-12 for…

Discusses how English-as-a-Foreign-Language instruction in China is carried out through the grammar translation method. Suggests that this method is insufficient and that language education reform is needed that focuses on teacher training, testing reform, methodology, curriculum design, and instructional materials.(Author/VWL)

Questions the removal of a link between reading and writing tasks in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations on two grounds: that this removal is prejudicial to those students whose native cultures may not provide the appropriate schemata to effectively write; and that it is unrealistic in terms of the measurement of…

Discusses new approaches in assessment development and describes two examples of English-as-a-Second-Language assessment recently developed in Australia. The article places these approaches within the context of state responses to linguistic and cultural diversity and demonstrates the implications of the differences between them. (85 references)…

This collection of essays on pronunciation theory and practice as it relates to second language instruction includes: "Pronunciation Assessment in the ESL/EFL Curriculum" (Janet Goodwin, Donna Brinton, Marianne Celce-Murcia); "Empowering Students with Predictive Skills" (Wayne B. Dickerson); "Intonation: A Navigation Guide for the Listener" (Judy…

Traces the history of the Commonwealth Government's commitment to English language provision to non-English-speaking migrants to Australia. Article presents a comprehensive picture of the Adult Migrant English program as it currently operates in the wake of major recent change. Article explores the place of tuition for English as a Second Language…

Training for ESL teachers should include linguistic training and application skills, cultural appreciation, second language teaching competencies, and the abilities to design and evaluate curriculum and to select or develop tests. Teacher specialization opportunities, support services, professional development, and the links between research and…

This study identifies and describes the difficulties faced by secondary school Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in Qinghai Province (China) in adopting the communicative approach to language instruction. It examines the perceptions of both teachers and teacher trainers. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews with one…

The objective of this study is to assess whether arts-based curriculum facilitates the acquisition of English as a Second Language without sacrificing proficiency in the first language (in this case, Spanish). The paper has two chief parts, one theoretical, the other empirical. In the first part, similarities between authentic arts-based…

The paper discusses some issues that language variation creates for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction, identifies research strands relevant to program development, and describes two dialect program exemplars. It also suggests considerations for educational policy formation with respect to dialects. The introductory section gives…

Data from a national survey of students and teachers working within Norway's system of mixed-ability instruction in the elementary and early secondary schools suggest that, after ten years of implementation, the teaching and testing system is workable and that some aspects work relatively well. Instruction in English as a second language in a…

The handbook, an update of the 1986 handbook, is designed for Spanish-speaking parents of California public school students, and answers commonly-asked questions about the state public education system and its services, particularly those of interest to this population. Information is presented in both Spanish-and English-language sections, in a…

This guide, designed for limited-English-speaking native Portuguese-speaking parents in California and presented in both Portuguese and English versions, is a general reference about the California State educational system. Sections address the following topics in question-and-answer format: matriculation, general information, and transportation;…

The four 1984 quarterly numbers of the journal include feature articles, techniques for teaching English as a second language (ESL), research summaries, and book reviews. The feature articles include: "The English Language Center at King Faisal University"; "English Language Training at ARAMCO"; "AlBank AlSaudi AlHollandi's Practical English…