Reviews the literature on educational innovation to inform those interested in undertaking a teacher-initiated innovation in English-as-a-Second-Language programs. Innovation involves a change that can occur at various levels; it is an ongoing process of revision and should constitute improvement. (31 references) (Author/CK)

Assesses the concept of "backwash" in language teaching. The two processes of testing and teaching are considered to be necessary but distinct. A system is described for distinguishing between them which is applied to developing classroom activities for examination preparation classes to help teachers move from testing to teaching…

Discusses the need for effective basic language, literacy, numeracy and other communication skills to support all workforce development programs. The general cultural bias towards these programs has marginalized them and is reflected in policy, curriculum and practice. Adjustments are needed in the approaches to the new climate of workplace…

This article offers suggestions for preschool and elementary school second language programs that will help students appreciate and understand the culture of the language they are studying. It focuses on cultural differences in nonverbal communication, art appreciation, teacher training and recruitment, and research needs in the field. (11…

This article examines, in particular, how South African teachers, working in situations where English is a second language, approach the teaching of a content lesson in geography. (23 references) (Author/CK)

This article describes a three-year teacher training project that aimed to improve the training of elementary school foreign language teachers at institutions of higher education. The training model paired North Carolina teacher trainers with experienced elementary school teachers who served as their mentors. (eight references) (JL)

Describes the use of a questionnaire on ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) students' methods of vocabulary learning as a springboard for class discussion of helpful strategies suggested in the literature. Background for the activity is described, procedures and results are outlined, and suggestions for using a similar questionnaire in other ESL…

Overviews challenges facing foreign language educators, including lack of a shared framework, dominance of the curriculum by textbooks, inaccurate student placement, yearly repetition of course content, and lack of a consensus on what students should achieve. A new articulation and achievement project has made progress in solving these problems.…

Presents a current events course designed to teach students in Israel both English language skills as well as the advanced reading and study skills they need to comprehend university level texts and journal articles. A current events approach to academic reading enlivens the foreign language classroom and motivates and broadens the horizons of…

Discusses the current and future status of foreign language education in Japan, focusing on the social, economic, and political influences on foreign language education policy. The Japanese government's foreign language education policies from the 19th century through the present are reviewed. (five references) (MDM)

Describes various aspects of the Toshiba Corporation's language training program. The Toshiba case illustrates some of the problems at a practical level with the concept of Business English (BE), the distinction between BE and English for Specific Purposes, and the incorporation of cross-cultural communication training into language instruction.…

Provides an overview of the different types of books about the use of English published in Japan and discusses some of the controversies about the role of English in Japan. New directions in the use of English are described that are reflected in new courses in the school system and in publications aimed at English-speaking Japanese. (56…

Provides suggestions for a literature-based approach when integrating Native American culture into the middle school curriculum. Recommends resources in the following subjects: language arts, mathematics, physical education, health, home and career skills, technology, art, music, and second language. (AEF)

Provides a case study of a computer-assisted language learning (CALL) program for beginning learners of Spanish at the University of Bradford, England. The pros and cons of various software used in the program, as well student attitudes toward CALL, are discussed. (six references) (MDM)

Cites significant publications in the field of computer-aided language learning (CALL), citing 133 general works, 41 on methodology and instructional design, 35 on multimedia, 12 on interface design, 27 on word processing and writing, 25 on concordancing, 18 on intelligent CALL, and 37 on computers in general education and the humanities. A list…