Examines the role of higher education as the European Community moves toward economic, monetary, and political union. Reviews several programs designed to bring more uniformity and equality to educational opportunities in all member nations. Concludes that higher education has assumed a leadership role in bringing about political and economic…

This study of the college experiences of 1,724 academically talented (upper 2%) high school seniors in Wisconsin did not support suggestions of a "brain drain" out of Wisconsin. The study also found that 82% of males and 72% of females majored in math-science areas and 60% felt ill prepared in foreign languages. (DB)

Two major initiatives have influenced language teaching programs in the United States and Canada. The U.S. model is based on preestablished descriptions of language proficiency for different levels, whereas the Canadian model adopts a multidimensional approach emphasizing content more than outcomes and highlighting culture. (SLD)

Research measured grade 5-7 children (n=73) for intelligence; reading comprehension and both static and working memory in the first (L1) and second language (L2); and linguistic knowledge in L1. Results support the notion that increased speed of basic processing in L2 facilitates higher-level processes involved in linguistic and oral communication…

A study used factor analysis to categorize and describe learning strategies in 1,200 university students. Results are reported from the perspectives of information processing theory and social psychology, and specific implications for classroom practice are discussed. (44 references) (MSE)

Data from 27 subjects--children acquiring Swedish as their first language (L1), adult immigrants acquiring Swedish as their second language (L2), and adult Swedish controls--were used to investigate narrative structure in child L1 and adults L2. Narratives were elicited through a picture story task. (30 references) (Author/JP)

A field-tested instruction and assessment model is described that fosters development of second-language skills by integrating writing with listening, speaking, reading, and problem solving. The model draws upon elements of process-oriented instruction, whole language learning, cooperative learning, cognitive mapping, and reading and writing…

Discusses whether the proficiency approach to teaching Arabic, which is now advocated, is really functional enough to suit true needs of students, and whether the debate concerning proficiency is becoming so polarized as to make impossible real discussion of the issues. Trends and changes that have occurred in the Arabic language over the decades…

Draws on a Los Angeles research project with Hispanic immigrant women with limited English to address the ambivalence with which many women approach the task of becoming literate in English. Gender differences and the relationship of literacy to sexuality, violence, and the public/private split between male/female worlds are considered. (22…

Highlights the major accomplishments of elementary school foreign language efforts over the past decade and focuses particular attention on the priorities for the 1990s. These include advocacy for language learning in early childhood, teacher training, resources, additional opportunities for language learning, articulation, and research and…

This replication study and follow-up study found that, when a multisensory structured language approach to teaching Spanish was used with a group of at-risk high school students, the group's pretest and posttest scores on native language phonological processing, verbal memory and vocabulary, and foreign language aptitude measures showed…

A study investigated the lexical knowledge of 40 Turkish-Dutch bilingual children aged 9 and 11 years and living in the Netherlands. Results indicate important differences between available lexical knowledge in the first language (L1) and second language (L2); children allot to L1 words less extensive and less varied meaning aspects than to L2…

Investigated Jordanian college students' evaluation of the impact learning and using five reading strategies in their English-language course had on performing academic tasks required in English for subject courses. Students believed formal instruction in these strategies helped them perform academic tasks required in English in their subject…

Explores the application of a process-based methodology in reading of recent fictional text, Ishiguro's "The Remains of the Day," with international undergraduates. Illustrated by practical tasks on narrative voice designed to build awareness of metadiscursive markers and their functions, this article makes a case for a methodology that is…

Describes the systematic planning and subsequent implementation and evaluation of a systemwide Spanish program at the elementary level in a small school district in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Discusses active participation by all senior administrators, the ways in which the language program has been incorporated into the overall curriculum…