This study, with 26 deaf and 26 pair-matched hearing preschool children, first assessed their cognitive modifiability using dynamic and static-convention instruments, and then compared the factorial pattern of the cognitive measures in both groups. Results are interpreted according to the Structural Cognitive Modifiability and Mediated Learning…

Describes the physical and linguistic structure of subcommunities of Hmong students in northern California with emphasis on communicative channeling and cultural mechanisms regulating information dissemination. Hmong students and their teachers use cultural/linguistic brokers extensively to communicate. (nine references) (Author/CK)

In 1986, the University of Illinois initiated the Consortium for Educational Change to facilitate discussions about local reform initiatives among districts and university faculty. A high school dean of students' assessment of his district's CEC Partnership Council disclosed communication and trust problems and unanimous support for goals and…

An adventure educator's anecdotes of international experiences illustrate the gap between the instructor's intended goals of an experiential exercise and participants' perceptions. Offers seven suggestions for structuring a dialog evaluation that works through different culture-based understandings of the same words, so that subsequent activities…

Participant observers conducting research among other cultures must use what is learned without betraying the confidence of those with whom they interact. Two Native American examples illustrate how current protocols are insufficient in cross-cultural situations. Recommendations include negotiating responsibilities before seeking consent,…

Surveyed a group of South American business people on their television viewing and perceptions of U.S. business people, exploring the relevancy of media-cultivated perceptions for understanding intercultural communication between U.S. and Latin American businesses. Found that Americans were viewed as aggressive, an undesirable communication trait…

Would-be reformers often overlook the importance of collegial working relationships. Site administrators have little training in the human dynamics required to relate well to teachers while providing constructive feedback on their performance. Fear of repercussion thwarts the evaluation and improvement process. Constructive communication practices…

Happe (1993) proposed that theory of mind (ToM) understanding was necessary for comprehension of metaphorical expressions. The current study investigated the role of both ToM and language ability in metaphor understanding. Ninety-four children aged 8-15 years with communication impairments were grouped according to language ability and autistic…

This paper examines the use of questioning as an index of intercultural competence (IC) in an Internet-mediated, German-American language learning partnership. Such telecollaborative, intercultural exchanges are becoming increasingly more common as a means of providing students at one location with cost-effective access to distally located…

Starting school is always an exciting time for educators and students. However, a public school with 11 staff members and only four students is not financially sound enough to retain the current staff or to keep the building open. The other 70 students who had originally enrolled in this school were now registered at a nearby charter school. As a…

This paper describes the experiences of an English teacher from Washington State University who taught English in Japan for a year. The teacher concluded after her year in Japan that the country is and has been involved in a less-than-conscious national effort to "stonewall" the effective teaching of English as a second language in all…

This paper provides Indian parents of children with disabilities with information from the Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs Project concerning communication between Indian parents and non-Indian service providers. Five basic strategies for effective communication are reviewed: (1) when you do not understand, ask for…

A study applied an integrative approach using participatory, quantitative, and qualitative research methods to help the administration of a mid-sized private elementary school discipline and communicate with minority (African-American) students. Micro-ethnographies based on observations at the school were constructed by 12 researchers (students in…

Cultural differences are very much a part of international trade and global competition and companies which are currently in, or would like to engage in, international trade must be willing to adapt to foreign cultures with a firm understanding of national and individual environmental factors. Successful intercultural communication includes an…

This paper, by reporting on research literature published from 1980 to 1992, attempts to identify the origins of interpersonal and social skill deficits of adolescents and young adults with visible physical disabilities, either congenital or acquired during very early childhood. The paper examines the nature of interpersonal and social skills and…