Controversy and debate can be effectively employed as the central pre-writing activity in the composition classroom. The current model of prewriting in the composition classroom is the reflective model, which involves relatively private exploration of issues and ideas leading to paper topics. Although in the short run it is easier for both student…

Suggestions for combining cultural exposure and language instruction through class activities geared to American holidays are outlined. General information about gathering holiday-related realia and instructional materials from local newspapers and magazines is provided, and four specific holidays are highlighted. For each holiday, sources of…

This book was designed to supply information on available resources in Australian children's literature and a tradition of teaching which incorporates the Australian experience in an inclusive manner. Essays and their authors consist of the following: (1) "Children's Books in Australia: Two Hundred Years of Social Life" (Maurice Saxby);…

This collection of practical writing activities was designed to give classroom teachers a variety of approaches, options, and techniques for teaching the essential skills in writing. The activities are organized into units according to grade level, one series of activities following each writing objective determined to be an indicator of whether a…

Prereading activities, analogous to prewriting activities, can draw on the reader's prior knowledge of the subject and make the student's reading of literature more proficient, raise the comprehension level, and make class discussions more meaningful. Some suggested prereading activities for the literature classroom include (1) making students…

Based on the best available research, this publication describes the most effective methods of vocabulary instruction for the improvement of reading comprehension. Examples of useful approaches to vocabulary instruction aimed at students past the initial stages of reading are presented for use or adaptation by classroom teachers. The publication's…

Early programs for computer-assisted language learning were limited in size and power by the capabilities of the first generation of microcomputers. As these capabilities have increased, it has become possible for language teachers to take advantage of tools originally intended for use in the business world, such as word processors, spreadsheets,…

Seventeen art activities are suggested for use in the intermediate-level class of English as a second language to review specific grammar points, provide conversation practice, and improve writing skills. In these art activities, students create their own visual aids and use them for a variety of language activities, such as: creating a family…

Directions for a game which models the feudal system of 11th century Europe are presented for high school and college history courses. The game demonstrates the medieval dependency of social structure on land holdings and vassal obligations. It also permits the expression of personal ambition, with results dependent on the loyalty and…

This report presents findings from a national survey on the extent of microcomputer use in elementary and secondary schools. The survey results indicate that: (1) in half of the schools with microcomputers, only one or two are regular users; (2) many teachers have become more than mere computer users and spend much time on programing; (3) in…

An intercultural training workshop including orientation and travel to France is described. The program was made available to businessmen and women interested or involved in trade with France, to students in communications, foreign languages, and international business, and to community members. The program included pre-departure classes to…

"Teachable Moments" are teaching aids about global perspectives in education. Number 1 explores disparity between what people say and what they think and do. Number 2 requires students to compare objects/concepts to illustrate that some see only differences, others see only similarities, and some see both. Number 3 examines growing…

An approach to elementary school French language instruction emphasizes sustained oral language through language analysis. The guide is intended for teachers of grades 3-6. It contains an introductory section, an explanation of the approach, a brief discussion of the linguistic content of oral language instruction, and four communicative classroom…

"Doodlefunking" is a useful method for motivating students to produce creative language products: "doodle" suggests aimless drawing directed by the unconscious while the conscious is attending to other matters, and "funking" connotes moving into a mental state in which the conscious mind is shut off while the…

Focused on the topic of poetry-writing instruction, this annotated bibliography contains 29 references of articles and papers in the ERIC database. The citations include articles discussing poetic forms, teaching strategies for elementary and secondary levels, and computer-assisted poetry-writing instruction. (MM)