This collection of papers provides an overview of previous studies on the acquisition of Spanish as a second or foreign language, theoretical approaches used in these studies, and effects of various pedagogical approaches on the development of Spanish interlanguage systems. The 10 chapters include the following: (1) "Phonology: Staking Out…

The purpose of this study is to examine a limited number of variables that have been documented in the literature as influential factors for women science majors and to determine which significantly influence undergraduate expectations to obtain science-related occupations. The results of this study indicate that several factors are worthy of…

Using their own 1978 national survey sample, the authors describe the social and demographic characteristics, psychological needs, and television viewing behaviors of persons who exhibit each of 14 patterns of leisure activities. The patterns were isolated through factor analysis and clustering techniques. (Author/RM)

Proposes that feminization of public school teaching was determined by (1) the process of state school system formation, increasing demands for economical public education; and (2) cultural restraints on women's work participation. Through regression and path analyses, the effects of these forces on the levels of female teachers is tested for…

Societies know how to create material wealth and physical health, but their ultimate success lies in creating a human culture conducive to happiness. Positive and negative adaptations to technololgical change are discussed. Educators must prepare for the future by providing creative education for all age groups. (PP)

Examines national trends in women's business school enrollment. Presents case study of one university. Indicates increase in professional degrees for women is best explained by changing expectations of women students and school administrators about costs and rewards of advanced degrees for women. Changes occurred more rapidly at prestigious…

Data from a cross-cultural sample of tribal societies suggest that rape is part of a cultural configuration which includes interpersonal violence, male dominance, and sexual separation. Rape is interpreted as the sexual expression of these forces in society where harmony between men and their environment has been severely disrupted. (Author/MJL)

Describes the increase in nonmarital childbearing in the United States in the past 50 years. Considers age differences in nonmarital childbearing and the disproportionate numbers of poorly educated unmarried mothers. Maintains that changes in sexual behavior of unmarried people and declines in marriages of unmarried pregnant women contributed to…

Ten reasons for teaching about religion in secular higher education institutions are offered: religion motivates most killings, contributes to most healing, is globally pervasive, has a long and broad past, is hard to define, helps explain many human activities, involves many disciplines, is a dimension of pluralism, relates to practical issues,…

Discusses a study on bilingualism and factors of ethnic identity in Saare/Tsaragi, a border area in Nigeria where two languages are used regularly. Interviews elicited information on language ability and use, language attitudes, and interethnic relations. Results indicate similar patterns between groups of bilingual ability and attitudes but…

Examined whether children's causality beliefs about school performance show similar developmental profiles across six distinct sociocultural settings. Found markedly similar developmental patterns in their beliefs about the importance of effort, ability, luck, teachers, and unknown factors as influences on school performance. Found that factors…

Two books acknowledge the importance of education in empowering African women and girls, both socially and economically, but differ from the dominant discourse by delving into locally grounded investigations of the dynamics that influence girls' access to education, outcomes, and the nature of the empowerment that education accords them. The scope…

School governance reform in post-apartheid South Africa aimed to democratize schooling while accommodating diverse school histories of underdevelopment or self-management. Analysis of relevant legislation shows the reform was structured to allow representative democracy and partnerships. But two recent studies suggest that governance reforms have…

A study examined family influences on reading motivation in Latino children. Surveys and interviews with 18 Latino students in an urban southwestern elementary school and their parents indicated that as domestic workload increased, the value children placed on reading decreased. The more time families spent together and on religious literacy…

Examines how the significant sociocultural changes that took place in Hungary in the 1990s affected school children's language-related attitudes and language learning motivation concerning five target languages: English, German, French, Italian, and Russian. Analyses are based on survey data collected from 13- and 14-year-old pupils in 1993 and…