Suggests a methodology for studying second language acquisition that is concerned with gaining insight into the use, development, and possible fossilization of interlanguage in important real-life situations. Specific interest is focused on the understanding ability of the non-native speaker to use English in discussing a technical field. (65…

Using an ethnographic-interpretive research strategy, a study of teacher-student interaction displayed in a secondary physics class suggests student-centered instructional strategies create an environment that enhances self-esteem, responsibility, behavior and academic performance. Examples of study guides, activity sheets and topic overviews are…

Examines the role of ethnography as a resource in the process of needs assessment in a multi-ethnic, low-income section of Philadelphia. Analyzes the relationship between the targeted neighborhood's socioeconomic characteristics and human service environment and discusses the work done with neighborhood leaders in developing a plan based on the…

Uses the concept of rites of passage in a study of how cultural knowledge about the teaching process is acquired during student teaching. (MW)

Defines ethnography and principles of high-quality ethnographic work, including a focus on group behavior, holism, emic-etic perspectives, comparison, grounded theory, and data collection and analysis techniques. The promise of ethnography for improving English as a second language teaching and teacher education is discussed. (Author/CB)

Reviews the growing body of work that examines reading as a process occurring within a social context and having social consequences. Three categories within this literature are examined: studies of literacy and its sociocultural role; the history of the book; and the meaning of reading as an activity. Notes and a bibliography is appended. (15…

Describes a case study that combined ethnographic and interview methods to gain an understanding of the types of decisions and factors influencing those decisions within the design inquiry phase of a high school's system-transformation effort. Factors discussed include the facilitator's role, information needs, user-based design teams, and…

Ethnographic methods and conversation analysis were used to examine five teacher-supervisor conferences and their contexts. Passive, collaborative, and adversarial teacher conference roles were constructed in the conference process. Implications for supervision, educational leadership and reform, and teacher recruitment and placement are…

Provides a report of the attempt to create an "autobiography club" among beginning English teachers in order to foster ongoing discussion of experiences and problems. Analyzes club discussions and the lessons being learned through the club's activities. Discusses methods for undertaking ethnographic research in education. (HB)

This article addresses the challenges of conducting interviews in a multicultural/multilingual setting, focusing on an ethnographic case study of bilingual life and language choice in a Canadian factory mostly staffed with Portuguese immigrant workers. (nine references) (MDM)

An ethnographic approach was used to examine the learning experience of four Chinese ethnic immigrant students as they made the transition from English as a Second Language to mainstream classrooms in one high school. Fundamental changes are advocated for systematic integration of content and language. (Contains 33 references.) (Author/LB)

Describes how one second-language student gained the opportunity for oral practice in a formal classroom setting. The study, performed in a classroom that had virtually no contact with the target culture, involves observations of various displays of responses from initiations by the teacher and from the student. (46 references) (GLR)

This paper presents findings of an ethnographic study investigating the first year of school for three Aboriginal students in two urban Australian classrooms. It considers how cultural differences, ideology, and micro-political processes marginalize Aboriginal students both academically and socially. (Author/DB)

Ethnographic methods were integrated with survey procedures in an experimental daytime count of homeless persons in a major city. Ethnographic data proved valuable for choosing sites, designing questionnaires, developing new interview approaches, and interpreting test results. Recommends a wider use of ethnographic insights in developing surveys,…

In an analysis of two American and two British texts, ethnographic studies of teachers are compared. The comparison reveals how different the approaches are, although both sets of texts use ethnographic methods, and how the role of the teacher is understood in contrasting ways in the two bodies of research. (IAH)