Examination of factors underlying cross-language transfer in metaphor interpretation among bilingual (Spanish-English) 7- to 12-year-olds indicated that metaphor interpretation ability was higher in the older subjects. The level of metaphor interpretation was most strongly related to cognitive-developmental variables that were interdependent…

A survey of 58 higher education institutions revealed that 74 percent had a foreign language admissions or graduation requirement, and 75 percent used placement examinations for incoming students. Schools cited problems of students with previous study enrolling in beginning classes, and of a lack of placement options for students with prior…

Compiles the main findings of the Oxford Project on Diversification of First Foreign Language Teaching. This project examined pupils' and teachers' experiences of diversification, set in the context of local and national developments in language policy, and investigated matters affecting decisions as to which modern foreign language(s) to offer.…

An ethnographic study of how one elementary school changed from an ethnocentric to a pluralistic philosophy is reported. The study focused on the principal, bilingual staff, and parents of bilingual Spanish-speaking students during the 1990-91 school year. (Contains 13 references.) (LB)

Discusses Krashen's monitor model and input hypothesis of language acquisition, focusing on the implications of this hypothesis among Hispanic bilinguals in an English speaking-teaching-reading-problem-solving environment. The hypothesis maintains that individuals acquire more language only when they are exposed to comprehensible input that is a…

Examined the relationship between Spanish reading achievement and native-language academic performance in mathematics, social studies, and science among limited-English-proficient Mexican Americans and limited- and fluent-Spanish-proficient students in a maintenance bilingual education program. Moderately high, positive, and significant…

Assessed impact of gender, ethnicity/home language, holding out, retention, and social promotion on first-grade achievement. Found that Latino students were more likely to be promoted to first grade, despite concerns about their performance, than were Anglo students. Interventions, such as retention, yielded no positive effects. (RJM)

Examines the effects of training Spanish-speaking parents in read-aloud techniques on the Spanish vocabulary development of their children aged five and six. Although not statistically significant, the results seem to favor the group that received training for five weeks versus a control group. The training increased parental involvement and had…

Maintains that the use of metacognitive learning strategies have been recurrent pedagogical tools for facilitating foreign language learning. Describes how new hypermedia and interactive video technology have broadened the scope of computer-assisted instruction. Calls for more research on this topic. (CFR)

Year-long case studies of 10 Hispanic American kindergartners indicate that (1) school has a great impact on children's home literacy experiences; (2) photocopied books and worksheets sent home by teachers stimulate literacy experiences; and (3) in-home booklet use is not related to literacy achievement, whereas in-home worksheet use is. (SLD)

Discussion of the need for Spanish-language materials in libraries considers outreach programs and other means of attracting Hispanic patrons, building a collection to meet the needs of various Spanish-speaking groups, and sources for Spanish-language books. (MES)

Describes a study that is investigating the teaching of learning strategies to high school and college students enrolled in beginning level Japanese classes and high school students in beginning level Russian and Spanish classes. Learning strategy instructional materials correlated to each curriculum were implemented by participating teachers, and…

Overviews some current approaches and practices of the basic aspects of foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) methodology and illustrates classroom implementation of these techniques. FLES practitioners need to explore ways to appeal to students to help them retain different types of Spanish content and gain new insights into Spanish…

College language departments report that, although enrollments in Spanish and some Pacific Rim languages are growing rapidly, declines are seen in French and German, traditionally popular, and in many less commonly taught languages. Students are motivated by practical considerations: many find their employment potential is increased by language…

Examines differences among three levels of third grade second-language (L2) readers on four oral variables: grammatical complexity; well-formedness; informativeness; and comprehension. Kruskal-Wallis tests indicate significant differences on all variables between low and high readers. Differences between intermediate and high groups were…