Relative proficiency in Gaelic varies by age in a Highland Scottish region where Gaelic is spoken by a decreasing number of bilinguals in a steadily aging population segment. Although proficiency ranges from full fluency (and Gaelic dominance) to minimal generative skills (and English dominance), there are also deviations at both extremes.…

Reports a study which examined the ability of adult immigrants to communicate as they were completing a 30-week, 900-hour second language program and then again six months later. Two cohorts of learners were interviewed: one comprised of immigrants from Southeast Asia and the other of Poles and Latin Americans. (Author/SED)

Describes a study which measures the threshold of second language reading competence and explains its nature. Results indicate that the threshold is reflected in a 65-70% score on the reading section of the First Certificate of English exam and that the most important element for text interpretation is vocabulary. (SED)

The development of an oral language proficiency rating scale for use in evaluating New Brunswick's junior and senior high school students' core French program achievement is described and discussed. (MSE)

Reviews earlier studies of the effect of student background knowledge on reading comprehension and then reports on a third investigation into the same effect. Concludes that the test results obtained in the study can be accounted for in terms of an interaction between background knowledge and linguistic proficiency. (Author/SED)

Discusses some of the cultural differences that lead to different traditions and styles of communication, considering word usage/nuances of the language, grammar, style/tone, Arabic tradition of emphasis, and Japanese communication style. An interdisciplinary course that pays extra attention to the needs of foreign graduate students is also…

Analyzes three programs comprised of subject study integrated with English as a second language study. Although each program is different, it is suggested that by citing their common intentions, other language program designers might be able to create similar components of subject study suited to the learning needs of their particular students.…

Discusses Michael Canale's paper, "Considerations in the Testing of Reading and Listening Proficiency," focusing on the third section, "Suggestions for improvements in receptive language testing." Considers such areas as: (1) level descriptions for academic use, (2) item and item types, and (3) validation. (SED)

This paper describes two different English programs for international students at the American Language Institute in San Diego, California. One is English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and the other is Intensive English for Communication (IEC). The paper focuses on one teacher's experiences teaching IEC writing after 2 years of teaching EAP…

"The Achiever" is published semi-monthly during the school year for parents and community leaders. Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Study Finds Majority of Sophomores Plan to Go to College"; (2) "Parent Support:…

This paper provides a discussion of some of the dilemmas that face teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). The author suggests that end-of-course assessments of ESL students should include a measure of growth, gain, or value-added, as well as measures of students' mastery of the English standards or English course criteria. Research has…

Using data collected in the 1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), this report studies the characteristics of schools serving immigrant children at the time of NCLB's passage. As SASS lacks a measure of immigration status among school children, this analysis uses English language proficiency level (or LEP status) as a proxy for immigrant…

This book summarizes the research on adult English language learners (ELLs) reading English, offering English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers and administrators suggestions for instruction and noting areas where further research is needed. It is based on an annotated bibliography of research on reading development for adult learners of English…

This reproducible, multilevel curriculum for English Literacy and Civics Education contains six field-tested and illustrated models: (1) The Democratic Process; (2) Community and Home Safety; (3) The Public Library; (4) The U.S. School System; (5) Public Health Services; and (6) Housing. The package includes the following: the Community…

Presented in Inuttitut, French, and English, this report summarizes research initiated by the Kativik School Board, which oversees education in Nunavik (northern Quebec). Four studies examined the current status of Inuttitut in Nunavik, the intellectual ability of Inuit students, and the effects of bilingual education on Inuit students'…