Describes the first- and second-language literacy levels of a sample of Turkish children living in the Netherlands and identifies factors related to individual variation in literacy performance. Measures of school literacy were taken in both Turkish and Dutch. Results indicated that these children attained lower levels of literacy than did their…

Explains how access to the World Wide Web can change approaches to teaching German composition and conversation. Reflects upon past practices in teaching German, describes an actual college course, and places the use of the new media in the general context of humanistic endeavors. (SM)

Provides suggestions for developing Web-based lessons for German-language classrooms. Practical guidelines for finding and selecting materials on the Web are followed by suggestions on preparing the materials for classroom use based on students' levels of comprehension. A model lesson plan illustrates various components in a Web-based unit within…

Examines gender bias in classes teaching English as a second language. Considers the role of teacher expectations in student achievement, especially for the Latina population. Maintains that school administrators and teachers must work together to increase their awareness of gender bias in ESL classes and work to dispel stereotypes. (KB)

Reports on a study of the communications strategies used in the writing of answers in biology by English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) first year biology students at the University of Botswana. Examines four macro-strategies used by the subjects: risk taking, risk avoidance, second language-based strategies and semantic simplification. (Author/VWL)

Describes a theme-based language course for science students at a South African university. Suggests that acquisition of language for science and technology should be regarded as acquisition of a range of literacies of science rather than acquisition of skills or grammatical features. (Author/VWL)

Reviews the Initial Teacher Training National Curriculum for Primary English, which specifies what students who are intending to become primary school teachers must be taught about the English language. It also discusses two other key policy texts: the "National Curriculum for English" for primary school pupils, and the "National…

Identifies areas that need improvement in teaching assistant training programs in the foreign languages if graduates are to be competitive in the job market, including course design, syllabus writing and identification and statement of curriculum and course objectives; design of content courses; materials development; articulation between the…

Examines whether and to what extent differences exist between learners of French, German, and Spanish with respect to range of motivational or motivation-related factors and whether the factor time has any significant effect in this. Concentrates on general or institution-wide language programs in universities. (Author/VWL)

Explores the contradiction between communicative theory and practice in beginning and intermediate English-as-Second-or-Other-Language (ESOL) materials and compares this situation with that prevailing in early first language literacy instruction. Proposes that ESOL teachers create and use materials that are primarily designed to appeal to adult…

A study of general and English-as-a-Second-Language elementary classrooms investigated teacher and student functional uses of language. The need to use dynamic assessment procedures and ethnographic observations to distinguish between a language disorder and typical difficulties associated with second-language acquisition is discussed. (Author/CR)

A review of literature on second-language curriculum design in Australia outlines some general trends in communicative language teaching theory and needs-based language curriculum planning, task-based learning, and recent cultural, social, and literacy perspectives on curriculum, and then examines specific initiatives to reform curricula, to…

Basic theorizing regarding the notion of "cultural schemata" is presented as well as an analysis of how this theory impacts cross-cultural understanding in modern China. It is concluded that task-based problem-solving approaches, which have a sociocultural basis, can provide a very useful structure for developing oral language skills in…

Suggests that the notion of near-native language ability, as currently used in the language teaching profession, should be re-examined. The concept of native speech is complex and often idealized, involving not only a teacher's language skills but also sociocultural norms, peer perceptions, and attitudes about ethnic or regional usage. The concept…

Exploration of a specific use of Text Based Virtual Reality--not just as powerful communities for authentic communication and collaboration in language learning but exploiting role-playing and writing aspects. The "Walk on Ice" takes a group of adult English-as-a-Second-Language learners through the creation of imaginary characters who…