The composition of the Estonian population has changed considerably since the second World War. The number of immigrants to Estonia has been remarkable in the second half of the century. The population in Estonia is divided into two parts: Estonian (66%) and non-Estonians (34%). The composition of the population and the language situation in…

This report describes the development and approval of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. After discussing the expression of consent to the European Charter, the report focuses on the ratification process of and obligations assumed by Spain. Although Spain was one of the first signatories in 1992, the ratification was not…

This paper describes the impact of the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in the United Kingdom, examining the history and current demographic and social position of the various languages to which the Charter applies. The first section, "Linguistic Minorities in the United Kingdom: Historical Development…

This study addressed the effectiveness of a Spanish-English dual language (DL) test booklet in eighth-grade mathematics. The inclusion criteria of the National Assessment of Educational Progress were used to identify students who would qualify for an accommodation like the DL booklet. Incentives (periodicals, software, and study data) were used to…

This factsheet provides information about the status of ethnic minorities in Great Britain. At the 1991 census, just over 3 million (5.5%) of the people in Britain did not classify themselves as White. About half were of South Asian descent (Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi) and 30% were Black. Nearly 7.3% of the British population had been born…

The first section of this report guides Delaware educators through the decision-making process for participation in the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) for students with disabilities and for students who are dually eligible as a student with a disability and limited English proficient (SD/LEP).The second section will guide Delaware…

Introduces this special volume that seeks to provide insiders' reflective views of a wide range of bilingual education programs, with the aim of catalyzing dialog and reform. Provides demographic background on speakers of minority languages in the United States and in schools, and on needs and problems related to the education of…

Comments on an article on the socialization process of Grade 1 English-as-a-Second-Language students in a Canadian public school. The author of that article responds to these comments. (Author/VWL)

Proposes how good practice can be developed in the assessment of dyslexia with bilingual children, presents evidence that language minorities are underrepresented in special programs, and highlights the value of recent approaches to defining dyslexia that do not depend on exclusionary criteria or on IQ-achievement discrepancy. (Author/VWL)

Clarifies the history and status of Macedonian in the various areas where it is spoken by providing a summary account of its history as a language of instruction in primary education in the Balkans from the nineteenth century to the present. (Author/VWL)

The practices of 191 regular-classroom teachers teaching language-minority children were studied. Findings suggest that teachers typically have not received formal training in second-language learning, that their resources are inadequate, and that they often engage in well-meaning practices that are detrimental to the development of…

This article reviews literature on the use of interpreters and offers recommendations that will promote effective communication among family members, service providers, and interpreters who speak the family's language, but have not been trained formally as interpreters or special educators. The complexity of the interpretation process is…

Reports the results of an intensive 2-year home-based educational program for 4-6 year old Turkish minority children in the Netherlands. Mothers who worked with their children at home carried out the structured program in Turkish. Overall, results indicate that involving parents in their children's education through a structured home-based…

Explores language dominance and cultural hegemony within the Franco-Ontarian community in Canada. Looks at within-group dominance, ethnolinguistic vitality, and ethnocultural equity, presenting a complex composite portrait of this minority language community. Suggests it is under the dominating influence of the majority English population, but…

Narratives from 10th graders whose first language is Spanish identified strategies that aided their English proficiency: literature-based activities, oral practice, individual help from tutors and aides, peer interaction, and games. What they found ineffective or harmful were having to read aloud in class and being interrupted or corrected when…