Adult English language learners comprise a substantial proportion of the adult education population in the United States. In program year 2006-2007, 46% of participants enrolled in state-administered adult education programs were in English as a second language (ESL) classes. This percentage does not include English language learners enrolled in…

Cutting-edge in its approach and international in its authorship, this fourth monograph in a series sponsored by the Chinese Language Teachers Association features eight research studies that explore a variety of themes, topics, and perspectives important to a variety of stakeholders in the Chinese language learning community. Employing a wide…

As a result of a growing immigrant population in the United States, many adult education programs are working with new populations of adult learners who need to learn English. There is a need for a strong workforce of trained and knowledgeable practitioners who can work effectively with adults learning English and facilitate transitions to…

Describes some characteristics of the adult learner, including factors that can affect the adult's ability to learn language. Discusses teacher- and learner-centered approaches and "adult" learning environments. (EKN)

Foreign language teaching techniques and materials applicable to adult continuing education are examined. Continuing education refers to an older student's pursuit of additional education of any sort. Often the adult student desires instruction in foreign language and culture. A continuing education language course will have students of widely…

Discussion of the problems (other than motivational) encountered by adult language learners focuses on a humanistic approach for the teacher, arguing that better understanding of cultural confusion and dissonance allows the teacher to pair students appropriately, identify sources of student dissatisfaction, and work to overcome inhibitions.…

Discussion (including one teacher's journal entries) of a team-teaching experience involving a university English-as-a-Second-Language class of 27 touches on advantages and disadvantages and organizational approaches. (CNP)

Discusses three types of low ability students--the beginner, the low-ability student at other levels, and the static student. Suggests methods of helping the low ability student in the ESL classroom. (EKN)

Since adult students' expectations and classroom experiences for foreign language study may vary greatly, an extra phase of training is recommended to introduce them to the types of activity and study attitudes expected of them. Components for this phase and a sample outline are offered. (Author/MSE)

After noting limited interest in the teaching and/or testing of paralinguistic features of spoken English, this article describes a test that includes a number of items uttered differently, which students are asked to interpret. Suggestions are offered regarding test administration, test items, and student evaluation. (five references) (LB)

Data from Think Aloud protocols were used to determine how two groups of adult subjects approached reading. Analysis indicates that vocabulary proficiency has a power impact on psychological processing of second-language reading by novices but also that culturally determined literacy practices may be a factor. (Contains 34 references.) (LB)

This article presents my views and reflections on working with adult ESL learners at a community-based adult literacy program in the Southwest. In this article, I share my experience working with adult learners learning English as a second language and critically address and discuss issues significant to the learners in their language and…

This article outlines the final lesson of a foreign language class based on the theme "Going Out," which provides a review of the entire course work and at the same time provides new vocabulary to the students. (CFM)

Reviews second-language learning literature concerning factors which may affect adult students. Focuses on cognitive mechanisms, cerebral dominance theories, formal operations, motivation, and second-language teaching and learning. Offers suggestions for community college teaching and programs. (DMM)

A study of predictors of reading comprehension in English as a second language had as subjects 33 adult students in full-time intensive English classes at the intermediate and advanced levels of reading. Each was tested with an oral and a written language inventory, and each response was recorded as syntagmatic or paradigmatic. Other tests…