English for Specific Purposes (ESP) programs, characterized by the special needs of the language learners, are described and a review of the literature on a functional-notional approach to the syllabus design of ESP programs is presented. It is suggested that effective ESP programs should teach the language skills necessary to function and perform…

An overview of curriculum reforms implemented in China during the 1980s is provided in this paper. A brief historical sketch of educational policy from early Chinese civilization to the present is offered. Two phases of curriculum reforms occurred in the 1980s: those for restoration of the social order and those for structural adaptation and…

The role of the teacher, the effects of curriculum differences, and the influence of textbook on student's sex role development in various countries are examined. (Author/DE)

A summary of curricular innovations (career education, experiential education, competency-based education, interdisciplinary courses, independent study, calendar change) with discussion of reasons for resistance (poor quality, intellectual work involved, lack of concept of "curriculum"). (JT)

Examines the learning environment and the intellectual variables of grade 8 and 11 classes from rural and urban settings representing mathematics, science, social studies, and English courses. (Author/DEP)

An account of the planning and development of a course on transracial communications, specifically focusing on the dynamics of black-white interaction. Details of implementation and evaluation, as well as a bibliography, are also provided. (EH)

This article argues that adult education policy in Scotland has been constructed, in particular ways which resonate with significant cultural themes, lending them a currency which appeals to a deep sense of identity. Using the theme of universal individualism, the paper considers how ideas of community and education have been used to maintain the…

The application of research outcomes aligned to a single paradigm can result in the design of polarized classroom pedagogies. In contrast, the application of multi-paradigmatic perspectives can result in the design of effective literacy and thinking tools. The research outcomes from cognitive and neuro-psychologists adopting normative…

In designing a foreign language curriculum, the needs and abilities of the students should be considered. Slow learners need mostly to be taught listening comprehension, while better learners should be taught good reading skills and have a good knowledge of "non-textbook" aspects of the language. (AG)

Interest in foreign language education is growing rapidly, linked to increased concern about international trade and international relations and a general interest in educational quality. The foreign language profession in the 1980s is committed to the development of proficiency-oriented curricula and instruction and the production of proficient…

Efforts to renew cultural literacy and reform arts education sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Getty Center for Education in the Arts suggest fundamental changes relating to the scope of art curricula. The single greatest drawback of existing art curricula and the guides that teachers use is the emphasis on skill development…

One of the most neglected aspects of teacher training is thorough preparation in the diverse communication skills that are needed by good teachers in today's schools. Pre-professional teachers require a grounding in communication theory, a thorough knowledge of how children acquire competence in their native language over years of growth and…

This digest summarizes the essential aspects of Myrick's Teacher Advisor Program (TAP) concept, discussing: (1) why schools need a teacher advisor program; (2) whether teachers are qualified to provide counseling; (3) what a teacher advisor program would involve; (4) what should be included in a guidance curriculum; (5) the counselor's role in…

Prior to the advancement of western education, Liberia had a system of indigenous education, taught by chiefs and respected village elders, and designed to perpetuate the Liberian culture. Formal or western education was introduced in 1830 when the Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society passed a resolution and later passed a public…

This paper attempts to identify critical variables for designing training programs in early childhood special education. A literature review is presented on training and the adult learner. Important characteristics of training are identified, such as the course design, sequence, content, and adult learning strategies used. Other significant…