After considering the linguistic, social, pedagogical and administrative rationale for using Spanish or native languages, particularly Quechua, as the educational medium, the author proposes a national system of bilingual schooling to be conducted in Spanish above the primary levels, but with continued native language course offerings. (SJL)

Examined African American students' perceptions of African Americans who used Black English (BE) as opposed to those who used Standard English (SE). In contrast to results of previous studies with adults, these 96 junior high school students from the southern United States thought the BE speaker was more likable and competent than the SE speaker.…

Considers the pedagogical validity of English immersion education in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, Melanesian countries of the South Pacific. Questions the appropriateness of implementing a policy of English language immersion education in a postcolonial, multilingual Third World context where support for first language maintenance and second…

Draws on interviews and published sources to examine Catholic educational policies and issues in Hong Kong, 1984-97, in the context of relationships between the Hong Kong Catholic Church and three authorities: colonial government, Chinese government, and Vatican. Discusses conflicts between Roman Catholicism and Communism, and language of…

Observed primary and secondary classrooms in which students received instruction in their second language (L2), interviewed teachers about students' knowledge and use of the first language and second language, and examined the students' ability to understand and produce written and oral samples in their L2. Students were Inuits in Northern Quebec…

A case study of a native-English-speaking child's acquisition of Hebrew through immersion in daycare found that a period of silence was followed by a rapid onset of second-language production. Eight types of language awareness were identified, with conclusions drawn about their role as prerequisites for starting second-language production. (58…

Analyzes the processes and strategies used by English-speaking children when they learn to read and write in their first language, English, while enrolled in total French Immersion (in which all their schooling is in the second language). (KEH)

Describes the difficulties encountered in Kenyan eighth grade science instruction when language policy restricts the use of local vernacular terms. Provides examples from three schools with differing policies on the use of English, Swahili, and tribal languages. Contains 21 references. (SV)

Discusses the rationale for implementing an experimental program for teaching language to young deaf children using a bilingual English as a Second Language approach. A program syllabus class activities, and evaluation procedures are described. (34 references) (CB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)

Examines debates involving three speech communities in the United States: standard English, Black English, and Spanish. The analysis focuses on languages in which electoral activities take place and in which public school instruction is conducted. The major American ideologies of language are similar in their denial of linguistic inequality.…

Examines the role of metaphors in teaching science. Suggests that when such expressions are used correctly, they can greatly enhance learning. Argues that metaphors also enable students to create new and interesting formations of thought. (CW)

Although students in African secondary schools have to read English-language texts to study many subjects, their previous English-language lessons and texts focus on a kind of literary English that does not adequately prepare them for reading English-language texts on a variety of subjects. (22 references) (CB)

A case is made for bilingual education in Britain, emphasizing the importance of the heritage language in child development. For children to appreciate language diversity, they must gain insight into the nature and form of languages and their roles in society. (SLD)

Discusses a project that investigated the dynamics of multilingualism and mathematics teaching and learning in secondary level South African schools. Interviews with six teachers in three classrooms in three different types of schools indicated that teachers had developed strategies to handle multilingual learners, though they produced certain…

Hawaii has a strong crusade to revive the Hawaiian language to preserve the Hawaiian culture. The article examines the events leading up to the implementation of Hawaiian language immersion programs through the State Department of Education and lists specific immersion school goals and strategies. (SM)