An analysis of concepts of time in Latin American societies focuses on aspects that can be useful in teaching Spanish as a second language and Hispanic culture in anglophone North America, and includes specific suggestions for classroom activities and teaching techniques. Analysis looks at the following aspects and functions of time: polychronic…

This instructional guide in French is intended for training Peace Corps volunteers serving in the Central African Republic. It includes 35 topical lessons at the intermediate level, each consisting of briefly stated competency objectives and a number of brief, related situational dialogues. Lesson topics include: introducing oneself; introducing…

It is proposed that a paradigm for training English-as-a-Second-Language teachers based on the educational philosophy of Paolo Freire would provide a more humanistic approach to the education of minority language groups. Freire's writings are reviewed, focusing on his plea for greater consciousness about the rights of others and the political…

The structure of an 8-week intensive course in literature for advanced learners of English as a Second Language is described. Focus is on engaging student interest with texts rich in theme and/or language that can elicit thoughtful discussion. In the first 2 weeks, the language and length of the texts (short stories) selected make them relatively…

The approach taken by two English-as-a-Second-Language teachers at the American University in Cairo (Egypt) in intensive courses for university-bound students is described. The approach is characterized by continuous communication between teachers, with the objective of providing constant reinforcement of those skills. Focus is on how two teachers…

This book reviews pertinent theories about writing in English, English as a Second Language (ESL), and foreign languages for teachers at secondary and postsecondary levels, to provide insight into the teaching and learning processes. Five hypotheses about the nature of foreign language (FL) writing serve as points of departure for analyzing…

A study compared the topical structure (TS) of Arabic and English in order to determine whether Arab learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) transfer potential differences between Arabic and English in their English writing, or whether they use an altogether different TS indicative of developmental factors. Four sets of data were compared…

A discussion of numeracy (the ability to cope confidently with the mathematical demands of everyday life), focuses on provision of numeracy instruction alongside English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction for learners with low literacy skills. It looks first at considerations and methods for assessing student numeracy needs, including the…

The multicultural context of English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) instruction in Indonesia is discussed from two perspectives. The first is that of EFL instruction in junior high school, a broad and rapidly growing population due to the new 9-year compulsory education requirements. The second perspective described is that of the population needing…

These newsletter issues explore topics of interest to Japanese language teachers in the United States. Issues contain feature articles, book and computer software reviews, activities and worksheets for classroom use, letters to the editor, news of regional conferences and activities, announcements, new resources, and employment opportunities.…

This document, which was developed for use by the participants in a national staff development videoconference on making sense of the issues in family and adult literacy, contains useful information and resources for literacy program staff who are considering making changes in their literacy programs. The document consists of the following:…

A workshop for language teachers focusing on cooperative learning techniques is described. First, an example of the effectiveness of cooperative learning is demonstrated using a simple classroom game requiring interaction to solve a problem. The activity provides an opportunity for learners to practice questioning techniques in an authentic…

Trends in the planning and teaching of ethnic and foreign languages in the United States are examined, and the Language and Cultural Perspectives program of the University of Pennsylvania's Lauder Institute, a graduate program in management and international studies, is presented as illustration of a successful program of foreign language…

Learning to write in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) provides learners with a voice in their new culture and enhances language acquisition. There are two general approaches to teaching writing: free writing, which is not necessarily edited or revised, and process writing which is revised and edited and shared with a wider audience. In addition,…

Parental involvement is critical to a child's success in school. This handbook provides parents with information about the Grade 1 curriculum in Alberta, Canada. Based on the Alberta Education "Program of Studies: Elementary Schools," the handbook describes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students in Alberta are expected to…