Suggests two techniques to help students look carefully at language. The first involves students in reacting favorably, unfavorably, or neutrally to a list of words and then discussing the list; in the second, students create a brand name and an advertising campaign for green beans. (TJ)

Proposes that in the quest for truth, teachers and students concern themselves with the prevalence of information overload, euphemisms, and doublespeak. (JL)

Explains how haiku was used in fourth and fifth grade classes to help the children acquire needed discipline in their use of language. (RL)

The French law proposed in February 1994 concerning the proper use of the French language in France is discussed. The law's content, intent, and origins are described, including the history of legislation concerning regulation of French since 1539. Public opinion concerning regulation of the language is examined. (MSE)

Incorporating an understanding of different varieties of English (particularly Cajun English) and the appropriateness of their use into the language arts curriculum can help speakers of dialects understand the origins of their language and the significance it plays in their lives. Educators who work with students who use Cajun English need to be…

Current debate has focused attention on the role of language in learning. This article describes how students' knowledge and interest in their own subject was used to start them thinking through ideas about language. The value of such an approach is discussed, and also the problems inherent in it. (Author/MA)

Explains the keywords journal project, an assignment designed to immerse students in the study of their own language in a way that will connect their personal investigations with more formal study of language as a variable in the communication process. (EL)

Suggests ways to help students enjoy the illogic or inconsistencies of English by comparing conventional usage of several major world languages. (MKM)

Observing that educators can have a healthy impact on students by making them aware of the implications of sexist language, its distortions and ambiguity as well as its demeaning and alienating effect on females, this paper presents a number of exercises and activities on sexist and nonsexist language usage both for high school and college English…

An interview with Guy Roy, adjunct minister of education and professional education in Manitoba (Canada), explores the role of French, French language instruction, and French-language education outside Quebec Province, and specifically in Manitoba. Issues discussed include language and cultural maintenance, immersion education, language attitudes,…

A study investigated how four anglophone Caribbean students enrolled in an American college perceive their own language and writing in standard English, the morphosyntactic and semantic features that emerge when they write in standard English, and the extent to which discourse features revealed in their writing are attributable to Creole…

This paper suggests classroom activities to develop awareness of language and the sociolinguistic aspects of language proficiency and to help eliminate language prejudice. The exercises are presented in seven categories: (1) examination of connotative and denotative language, names and nicknames; (2) dialects and slang and the status attached to…

This is one of a series of handbooks designed to assist classroom teachers, bilingual-bicultural education and special education program staff, counselors, and school administrators in instructional services for students from native Alaskan language groups. The unique sociocultural and linguistic characteristics of Inupiaq speakers as they relate…

A survey investigated the attitudes of one community college's English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers concerning the use of native language in the classroom, particularly by the teacher. Twenty-one ESL teachers, both part- and full-time, responded. Most were Hispanic, many were bilingual, and they represented a range of experience and…

This is one of a series of handbooks designed to assist classroom teachers, bilingual-bicultural education and special education program staff, counselors, and school administrators in instructional services for students from native Alaskan language groups. The unique sociocultural and linguistic characteristics of Athabaskan language speakers as…