Discusses children's concept development and exploratory talk in the primary years of early French immersion (K-3). Data from a case study of a primary program is related to personal teaching experience and research in language and learning and developmental psychology. Suggests possible approaches to enhancing concept development and exploratory…

Examines the emerging form of text on the World Wide Web and how it is influencing reading, in particular reading by non-native readers of English. Focus is on the visual representation of text structure. (Author/VWL)

Surveys initial student perceptions of a university-level computer-assisted language learning (CALL) course. Over 100 Japanese first-year students were questioned about the influence of CALL in their language classroom and on language education in Japan in general. Their views are presented and analyzed in the context of teaching and learning…

Dispels myths about Chinese-speaking students in U.S. schools, including myths about where Chinese students come from and what language they speak; difficulties they face when learning English; cultural influences on education; learning behavior and attitudes toward education; and parents' attitudes toward education. Emphasizes that Chinese…

Terrell's natural approach suggests that such interactive activities as music and art induce and improve student communication in language learning. Explanation of the method's steps uses the poem "Abenamar" as an example. The teacher first presents the work in historical context, then reads the work accompanied by visual aids, then…

Describes research into students' language-learning preferences and strategies, conducted by three English-as-a-Second-Language teachers at three different postsecondary institutions. Focuses on how students' preferences and language-learning strategies vary by student ethnicity, language background, goals of the study, proficiency level, and…

Examines a junior teacher internship project in which a group of third-year Australian university students of Japanese participated regularly in first-year-Japanese classroom activities. Discusses learner autonomy and cooperative learning, the project procedures, and project evaluation in terms of reactions by both first-year and third-year…

Discusses use of case studies and role play throughout the curriculum at the Ecole de Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord, a French graduate school associated with the Catholic University of Lille. Provides a case study that was developed to reconcile conflicting needs in the business English classroom at the graduate level. Students require…

Considers the computerization of an English-language placement test for delivery on the World Wide Web. Describes a pilot study to investigate potential bias against students who lack computer familiarity or have negative attitudes towards technology, and assesses the usefulness of the test as a placement instrument by comparing the accuracy of…

The purpose of this longitudinal study is to examine students' needs in a private school as a basis for establishing curriculum goals and instructional objectives for a new curriculum. (Author/VWL)

Provides an effective way for enhancing high schools students' listening skills in the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom in Korea. Students were taught English pronunciation focused on the combinative changes, a sound change as the change restricted to certain environments. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the use of songs (folk, rock, country, pop) to teach oral English to prospective teachers of foreign languages. The development of speech habits through music is comprised of three stages: preparatory, forming, and developing.(Author/VWL)

Two studies explored bilingual language-development outcomes of low-income, Spanish-speaking, Mexican-American children who did or did not attend a bilingual preschool. Found that children who attended bilingual preschools, compared to those remaining at home, showed significant and parallel gains in Spanish-language development and in…

Describes an extracurricular writing program launched in a Chinese university for English-as-a-Foreign-Language students. Particular emphasis is on "English corner," the most popular activity. (Author/VWL)

Reports the results of research conducted with Grade 5 French-immersion students to determine whether peer comments made during writing conferences were integrated into the writer's final draft, and, if so, how these comments improved the quality of writing. (Author/VWL)