Explored the summary writing processes of six-first-year Master of Business Administration students in a North American university. Participants (three Chinese and three native English speaking) completed a course-related summary task while thinking aloud. Analyses of think-aloud protocols, retrospective interviews, and written drafts reveal…

Addresses the socio-pragmatic phenomenon of academic conflict from a cross-cultural and diachronic perspective. It is examined by combining a quantitative approach and a qualitative discoursal analysis of its salient rhetorical features in corpus of Spanish, French, and English medical articles published between 1930 and 1995. (VWL)

Presents a classroom investigation conducted in the framework of Exploratory Practice (EP) and illustrates EP's potential for developing a research culture in a university institution. Illustrates how investigation into group work arose from interest in developing a culture of inquiry and concludes with a note of caution concerning the pace of…

Reviews the nature of Web-based course management systems (WCMSs), which are designed to help teachers create learning environments in which students have the necessary means to interact effectively with their peers, their instructors, and the course material. Focuses on their advantages, disadvantages, and potential for language learning by…

Examines the effect of individual and contextual variables on the acquisition of Basque by adult learners in the Basque Country. Participants were learners who were attending Basque classes in nine different specialized schools for teaching Basque to adults. Participants completed questionnaires about metalinguistic awareness, anxiety, learning…

Investigated the effects of readers' gender, topic familiarity, enjoyment, and interest on second language reading. University students of Spanish completed a reading passage each day, a written recall comprehension task, and a questionnaire. Findings suggest that in addition to linguistic factors, other variables such as gender, passage content,…

College Students enrolled in East Asian language classes were surveyed about their language learning motivational orientations (MOs). MOs were classified and measured on seven subscales; integrative, instrumental, heritage-related, travel, interest, school-related, and language use. Learners were highly influenced by interest, language use, and…

Investigated the relationship between writing performance and speaking performance in German as a foreign language learners through quantitative analysis of the variance and correlation among oral, written, and explicit rule abilities as evidenced in present-tense verbal morphology and syntax. Subjects performed an explicit rule grammar test and a…

Discusses the historical perspective relating to current problems facing mother tongue instruction in Sierra Leone and examines post-independence policies to highlight the institutional bases of mother tongue education and to consider causes of inertia and negative attitudes towards it since independence. (Author/VWL)

Observed primary and secondary classrooms in which students received instruction in their second language (L2), interviewed teachers about students' knowledge and use of the first language and second language, and examined the students' ability to understand and produce written and oral samples in their L2. Students were Inuits in Northern Quebec…

Examines English teaching in Taiwan in primary and secondary schools, cram schools, and higher education. Discusses English teachers in Taiwan and teacher training, teacher organizations, teaching opportunities for foreigners, and future challenges for English language teaching in Taiwan. (Author/VWL)

Discusses a simulation used with computer science students studying English for specific purposes in a university technical writing class in Japan. Highlights include building a paper bridge as a project team; writing a technical proposal as a team; language learning goals; influence of a group's ability to work as a team; and student motivation.…

Discusses the integration of innovative technologies into the K-12 curriculum and its impact on instructional programs for linguistically and culturally diverse students. Describes the debate over whether the culture of computing is inclusive or exclusive, examining: educational technology standards; information technology and fluency; speech…

Research suggests electronic mail can be a powerful motivator for authentic second language (L2) interaction, but little is known about the efficacy of this medium in the development of target language proficiency. This study examines Email exchanges between university learners of Japanese as a foreign language and native Japanese university…

Discusses the use of children's literature for ESL (English as a second language) students to support science instruction. Highlights include choosing and using nonfiction literature; using topics or themes to connect language learning and content; choosing science literature for ESL students; and an annotated bibliography with grade level…