Found that classroom instruction was more effective than a tutorial approach to freshman English. (DD)

Characteristics of both successful and unsuccessful tutors at the Open University are illustrated, based on first-hand observation of staff members. Areas covered include: knowledge and handling of subject matter, general teaching skills, classroom skills, social competence, values and work rate, administrative competence, and style. (LBH)

The six editions of the newsletter provide a forum for the sharing of research findings and instructional strategies by faculty of Western Michigan University. Topics addressed include: active learning; lecture variations; lecture techniques; grading student participation; leading discussions; overcoming silence; discussion challenges; course…

Courseware was developed to facilitate knowledge transfer between lecture and laboratory for general chemistry at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana). One project uses a tutorial strategy. Another uses tool-based courseware for modeling and manipulation of simulated representations of chemical systems; worksheets guide student use of courseware…

Different forms of peer tutoring within college and universities are described and compared for effectiveness, including cross-year and same-year small-group, individualized, supplemental, diadic, reciprocal, fixed-role, writing process, and distance tutoring. Three methods are found to be widely used, demonstrated effective, and meriting expanded…

Designed for use by teacher educators, this module provides a framework for examining current practice in training preservice teachers to deal with slow learners in the regular classroom. The focus is on establishing peer and cross-age tutoring programs. A rationale for tutoring is given by describing the relation between academic engaged time and…

In a University of Central Lancashire (England) program, upperclassmen support learning of peers through small-group peer tutoring in study skills, earning academic credits for doing so. The program targets courses with difficult content, predominance of lectures, and low rates of teacher-student interaction. Evaluation indicates reduced course…

The University of the Orange Free State (South Africa) is testing effectiveness of group work with tutors as part of independent study modules. The method is based on an experiential learning cycle including pre- and post-testing, self-evaluation, reflective observation, active experimentation. Early indications are that most deficiencies of…

The design, implementation, and evaluation of a self-paced course in first-year college French are described, focusing on student choice in deciding which of four language skills (listening/speaking, writing, reading, or culture) they would concentrate on. Considered are course organization, use of assistants and student tutors, and course…

A discussion of communication between native English-speaking (NS) tutors and their non-native-speaker (NNS) students draws on a study conducted in the Indiana University writing center and focuses on conflicts between effectiveness in communication and effectiveness in instruction technique. Examples of tutor-student (NS-NNS) interaction are…

A Kean College (New Jersey) program in English as a Second Language (ESL) designed to ease students' transition to mainstream classes focuses on reinforcing existing English skills, encouraging interaction between limited-English-speaking and native-speaking students, providing academic support, encouraging confidence, and helping teachers modify…

The papers in this collection focus on both underlying theoretical principles of language teaching, learning, and research and exchanges of information between teachers and researchers. The following titles are included: "CALS at Carleton" (Janice Yalden); "Computers in the Teaching of Linguistics" (Jean-Pierre Paillet);…

Papers from the conference on the education of Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders include: "English Language and Numeracy Program for Aboriginal Students" (Alison Jarred); "The Aboriginal Identity Course: A Midstream Evaluation" (Simon Vaughan); "Making the Curriculum Your Own: The Senior Girls at Lajamanu…

This article presents a summary and analysis of a year-long project to develop an English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) tutoring lab at California State Dominguez Hills. The project had as its main goal the establishment of a lab specifically targeting the rapidly growing population of non-native speakers of English on campus, and was developed with…