In this paper, I discuss a network-based collaborative project that focused on the learning conditions non-native speakers (NNSs) of Spanish perceived to be necessary to satisfactoraly communicate with native speakers (NSs). Data from online discussions, end-of-semester surveys, and final oral interviews are presented and discussed. The results of…

This article reports classroom research on learners' perspectives on Web-based instruction that utilizes the "Blackboard" course management system. The Web-based instruction aims to provide and support collaborative learning while fostering learners' autonomy and accountability. The article also provides a description of the course…

The objective of this case study is to explore the influence of evaluators' beliefs on the diagnosis of language-minority children's cognitive-linguistic development. More specifically, the following five areas are explored: (1) evaluator's cultural and linguistic backgrounds; (2) their beliefs about language-minority children's…

The training manual is designed to accompany "The Story of California," a set of bilingual instructional materials for limited-English-proficient, native Spanish-speaking students in urban middle schools intended to ease their transition into comfortable use of English while maintaining Spanish language skills. The manual is to be used…

The evaluation report details the structure and outcomes of a workplace education program for members of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers' Union from May 1993 through March 1995, and assesses the program's design as a model for similar programs elsewhere. The program was designed to enhance workers' skills and meet personal educational…

The performance of students from different racial or ethnic subgroups and of students receiving bilingual (Spanish and English) or monolingual (English only) instruction in mathematics was studied using students from schools in the QUASAR (Qualitative Understanding Amplifying Student Achievement and Reasoning) project, a mathematics education…

Seven papers from the annual conference are presented. "Developing Tomorrow's Technology-Using Foreign Language Teachers: Where We Are, Where We Are Going" (Marjorie H. DeWert, Audrey Heining-Boynton) looks at whether language teachers are being trained to take full advantage of educational technology. "Foreign Language Placement in…

The newsletter is devoted to description of a 5-day conference on "Teaching Spanish to Southwest Hispanic Students" funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and held at New Mexico State University on July 14-19, 1993. It lists the middle and high school teachers from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas who…

This guide is designed for Spanish language training of Peace Corps workers in Uruguay, and reflects daily communication needs in that context. It consists of 11 instructional units, each addressing four to seven specific language competencies. A table of contents outlines the targeted competencies and content for each unit. The units contain…

This study investigates the development of two levels of morphological knowledge that contribute to Spanish-English bilingual students' ability to recognize cognates: the ability to recognize a cognate stem within a suffixed English word, and knowledge of systematic relationships between Spanish and English suffixes (e.g., the fact that English…

This book is designed as both a methods text and practical guide for school districts and teachers involved in foreign language instruction at the elementary and middle school levels (grades K-8). Its primary concern is with majority-language speakers and with beginning-level classes. Brief introductory sections outline key concepts for success.…

This study on Basque language learning is part of a project investigating alternative curriculum designs to promote native language maintenance in the Basque Country of Spain. The study measured the level of Basque and Spanish language proficiency in second- and fifth-grade students in three bilingual education program designs (Basque taught as a…

The Growing Up Strong (GUS) program was developed for preschool through sixth grade students to promote mental and physical health and prevent substance abuse. The Spanish Bilingual Supplement to the kindergarten through third grade GUS materials also promotes respect for Spanish language and cultures. This document includes an English-language…

A collection of essays on cross-cultural aspects of literacy education includes: "Conceptions and Uses of Literacy in a Papua New Guinea Village" (Don Kulick, Christopher Stroud); "Literacy and Feelings: The Encoding of Affect in Nukulaelae Letters" (Niko Besnier); "The Uses of Schooling and Literacy in a Zamfimaniry…

A study examined linguistic minority parents' views on bilingual education, motivated by recurrent controversy surrounding public school provision of bilingual education for language minority students. Multiple-choice questionnaires in English and Spanish were answered by 299 Latino parents whose children were enrolled in bilingual education…