In recent decades, Quebec has been continuously examining its educational values, addressing in particular the effectiveness of traditional educational methods and curricula, role of institutional culture in academic success, and value placed on ethnic integration. Priority should be given to cognitive development and systematic evaluation but…

Examines the social factors that contribute to the tensions surrounding the debate over bilingual education. Discusses the "English-only" movement, the "English-Plus" coalition, and shrinking funds for bilingual education at a time of rising acceptance of its benefits in the educational community. (JB)

Uses a sociocultural perspective that acknowledges the many resources for children beyond school for language acquisition to describe how research about children' communities can be used to enhance bilingual instruction. Argues for the redefinition of researchers' and teachers' roles for a collaborative working relationship to bring about…

A Language and International Trade program and a proposed Engineering for International Careers at Clemson University are described, including issues related to curriculum and faculty recruitment and credentialing. Implications for language professionals are discussed. (eight references) (LB)

The development and instruction of a course in survival Spanish at Sauk Valley Community College (Illinois) are described. The course, taught for over 15 years and targeted at groups such as teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors, and secretaries, is offered as a model for courses in real-life communication for a variety of professions.…

Classroom activities and materials for developing Spanish language skills are described. The exercises focus on listening comprehension, speaking, word recognition, vocabulary learning through reading, and grammar skills that prepare students for the National Spanish Examination and other language experiences. (Author/MSE)

Writing instruction in Israeli high schools is discussed based on classroom observation and practices. Meetings between English teachers and teacher trainers specializing in foreign language writing focused on techniques such as prewriting, dialogue journals, revision, and peer correction. (16 references) (LB)

Describes the second-language and native language maintenance programs of Brunswick North Primary School (Australia), a school that offers its students opportunities to learn Turkish, Italian, Greek, or Arabic. An integrated curriculum ensures that students acquire or maintain a language other than English. (SLD)

An ethnographic case study of Somali children in Canadian schools examines the relationship between literacies, school, and community cultures by exploring literacy events as they unfold for Somali children in an elementary school. Field notes and interviews involving Somali and school-community members are analyzed based on the view that…

Reviews learner strategy research, strategy instruction, and on-line help in multimedia instructional materials, and reports on a study investigating 20 native Chinese-speaking English language learners' use of computer resource facilities (e.g., scripts, glossaries, background information) in an interactive videodisc program and their reactions…

Reports a two-phase project aimed at developing critical language awareness through the teaching of Portuguese. During the first phase, 13-year-olds in a Brazilian state school evaluated their Portuguese lessons, and identified features they felt needed altering to develop critical awareness of language and social reality. Changes were proposed…

Study investigated effectiveness of two techniques in second-language vocabulary development: spacing of first-language (FL) and second-language (SL) words and reversal of the conventional FL/SL order in paired associate learning. Subjects were 16 English-speaking grade-seven students of French. Results showed superior performance in both spacing…

A study examined disparity and resulting conflict in learning and teaching styles of high school teachers (n=29) and students (n=299) in South African province. The majority of teachers were intuitive and introverted, preferring abstract ideas and independent work, while students tended to be concrete-sequential and extroverted, needing direct…

Examines the interrelationships among accentedness, perceived comprehensibility, and intelligibility in the speech of second-language (L2) learners. The findings suggest that although strength of foreign accent is correlated with perceived comprehensibility and intelligibility, a strong foreign accent does not necessarily reduce the…

Focuses on the employment-related aspect of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes at the intermediate and advanced levels. Activities described include researched pair presentations, company research, working through occupational modules and an exercise to enhance self-image. Networking with colleagues and the community helps in the…