This paper examines the use of oral dialogue journals as an integral part of foreign language instruction. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of oral (audiotape) journals, and compares them to written journals. The paper then explores the use of oral dialogue journals in the teaching of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to adult students…

Noting that renaming common folk practices as "emergent literacy" practices legitimizes these unacknowledged ways of learning to read and write, this book highlights the importance of out-of-school literacy experiences and the value of real literature and real writing. It stresses a reciprocal relationship between basic research on the…

This collection of papers is designed to provide an overview of validated practices that have been proven effective for children with language learning disabilities, preschool age through adolescence. The first section addresses oral language interventions, in "Preschool Language Intervention in the Classroom: Rationale and Organizational…

A study in Japan investigated second language skill loss and maintenance in three groups of English-as-a-Second-Language learners: (1) ninth graders studying basic vocabulary and sentence structures (true beginners); (2) students in the lowest level English class at a technical college, but with some English language skills (false beginners); and…

The oral communication course for English majors at the National University of Malaysia includes testing designed by faculty and coordinated with the curriculum. This practice is based on the ideas that a teacher who has been actively involved in curriculum design is in a good position to design a test for that curriculum, and that teacher-made…

A study examined the oral language skills needed in a second language to communicate effectively with native speakers. The first part of the study is an analysis of the concept of oral intercultural communication proficiency, particularly as an objective of language instruction. The second part of the study consisted of a survey of native speakers…

This book introduces the latest theories about second-language acquisition and tested teaching approaches and practices for use in elementary schools. It is intended for all educators interested in adapting their skills to help recently-arrived immigrants, students born in Canada, and students for whom a lack of English skills may be delaying…

The journal of linguistics of the University of Neuchatel (Switzerland) contains information on the programs and faculty and articles in French (F) and English (E). They include: "From Behavioral Psychology to Sociolinguistics: Ten Years of Linguistics Applied to Language Teaching at Neuchatel" (F); "Intonation and Syntax:…

The proceedings of a conference designed to give researchers and educators the opportunity to discuss issues affecting public education, this report opens with a description of the Research and Development Exchange Coordinating Group's initial efforts to address teacher concerns in oral and written communication instruction. It then lists…

This journal includes current information for English teachers (new publications, resource materials, textbooks, tests, and trends) and these articles: "Reliability in the Oral Bagrut Test" (Raphael Gefen); "A Methodological Approach to 'Rewrite Sentence' Drills" (Eliyahu Galore); "Translation as a Bagrut Subject"…

This study explores the utility of analytic scoring for the TOEFL® Academic Speaking Test (TAST) in providing useful and reliable diagnostic information in three aspects of candidates' performance: delivery, language use, and topic development. G studies were used to investigate the dependability of the analytic scores, the distinctness of the…

In response to the needs of teachers for assistance in developing second language speaking and instructional skills, Tarrant County Junior College, Northeast Campus, designed a series of 10 16-hour workshops for teachers of foreign languages for summer 1989. The "Strategies for Proficiency Workshops" were intended primarily as in-service training…

Suggestions for effective parenting of preschool children are provided in 33 brief articles on children's feelings concerning self-esteem; fear; adopted children; the birth of a sibling; death; depression; and coping with stress, trauma, and divorce. Children's behavior is discussed in articles on toddlers' eating habits, punishment and…

This report evaluates a program designed to supplement the basic educational services, provided by New York City's Division of Special Education, for Hispanic handicapped students with limited English proficiency. In 1980-81, the program served 129 students in nine public schools (seven elementary and two intermediate) and one private school in…

Stressing the importance of understanding child development, this paper first describes the writing of several children in a kindergarten class who represent various levels of emerging literacy. Based on the descriptions of classroom activities, the paper argues that with a developmental perspective the teacher can build instruction on what the…