Investigates Communicative Effectiveness (CE) and Grammatical Accuracy (GA) in fifth-grade students in intensive English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes. Using different types of elicitation tasks in a cross-sectional study, results showed CE and GA are not independent, but the relation between them differs as a function of task type. (28…

Compares two approaches to teaching grammar with respect to accuracy of participant response over time. A traditional based program used the human teacher method, while Cyber Tutor, a computer-aided program, allowed students to annotate sentences while providing instant feedback and help facilities. (six references) (Author/CK)

Reports data collected by supervised student investigators on learners' use of strategies in organizing words when learning English as a Second Language. Results proved that word grouping was a worthwhile study. A second study investigated word organization strategies of secondary school students given a list of 50 words. (33 references)…

This study describes the contrasting cultural norms of academic writing and academic writing instruction at a large American university, comparing these differing viewpoints in order to identify difficulties that non-native-speaking undergraduates might experience in proceeding from English as a Second Language (ESL) to freshmen composition…

Reports on a survey conducted by the Association for Language Learning (ALL) of 199 foreign language teachers in England and Wales concerning the implementation of the National Curriculum in Modern Foreign Languages. Teachers felt that the major strengths of the curriculum included emphasis on the target language and enhanced status for foreign…

The author of an article on the relationship between first-language (L1) and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) writing instruction comments on a response to that article. Focus is on the integration of L1 and ESL instruction at the university level and on the conditions under which college writing teachers work. (MSE)

Describes the relationship between language concepts and the basic patterns of mathematical expressions. Suggests ways to improve the reading comprehension, writing ability, and reasoning skills of school and college students by integrating language topics into the mathematics curriculum. Discusses the use of language concepts in algebraic…

Examines the emergence of English writing among 31 kindergartners. Concludes that stages of writing development are similar in native and nonnative speakers. Suggests that the relationship between oral and written language is transactional, and that language transactions benefit nonnative English speakers. Also suggests that personality influences…

Provides a guide to basic research in second-language acquisition by characterizing distinct perspectives from foreign language teaching, first-language acquisition, psycholinguistics, and sociocultural factors. Argues that crucial insights of the sociocultural perspective must be introduced for adequate assessments of bilingual individuals. (JB)

The role of socio-contextual and social psychological elements in second-language acquisition in bilingual settings is examined among 139 native Spanish-speaking secondary school students. Compared to a Basque-speaking control group, the Spanish-speaking students scored lower on subjective ethnolinguistic vitality, social networks, motivation, and…

Demonstrates the presence of a minority group elite in the contemporary bilingual education movement. The bilingual education program elite insists that students of limited English proficiency be taught exclusively in bilingual education programs and only by certified bilingual teachers even though bilingual education has not been demonstrated to…

Discusses the Arabic language and the motivation to acquire the language within the Israeli setting. Examination focuses on the judicial status of Arabic and its communicative functions within the community, linguistic policy of the Israeli political center and the status of Arabic within the educational system, and attitudes toward Arabic and its…

During a practicum teaching experience, preservice English-as-a-Second-Language teachers provided narrative statements on their beliefs about second-language teachers and teaching, teaching intentions, and perceptions of instructional practice. Images from prior experiences within formal language classrooms significantly affected teachers' images…

Analyzes answers to a questionnaire given to British secondary school children who had opted out of foreign language study. Identifies reasons why the students chose not to continue language study. Concludes that enjoyment of the subject and opportunities for contact with the country of the target language are factors motivating students to…

Explores language and interaction behaviors of Quechua children that point to the possibility of a stress reaction on their part. Behaviors of Quechua children in two schools, one with and one without a bilingual program, are discussed. Interaction is discussed in terms of underparticipation, overparticipation, and hostile participation. (15…