A number of studies have reported the cultural representations in English textbooks in many contexts, especially those in Asia. However, these studies relied on a small data set and the findings suffered severe limitations. To overcome such shortcomings, we self-built a corpus that has 40 volumes/books of over one million words to examine the…

Presents an overview of some factors that affect the culture and linguistic minority status of the deaf. These factors include language and the deaf world; the deaf community; bilingual and multicultural education of the deaf; and demographic aspects of hearing impairment. (Author/VWL)

Global education, an attempt to provide students with information and perspectives on diverse countries and cultures so that they may be knowledgeable and responsible members of the world community, is becoming a key concern of foreign language educators. While foreign language education has often included some cultural and historical elements,…

A philosophical and historical reflection on the values of learning a second language explores the stages of language acquisition. Language fluency, second language instruction, and the Western cultural traditions associated with learning a second language are discussed. (CB)

Eight French dictionaries and encyclopedic reference books are reviewed, focusing on their formats, characteristics, and intended uses. They include references for language, geopolitics and economics, economic history, signs and symbols, and an almanac. (MSE)

This booklet is a basic introduction to the people, history, and culture of Bosnia (a republic of the former Yugoslavia), with a particular focus on Bosnian Moslems. The booklet is designed primarily for American service providers and sponsors. Particular sections address the following: the Bosnian people; geography; history; educational and…

A discussion of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) focuses on principles and techniques for the development of one form of communicative competence, i.e., sociolinguistic competence. First, the concept of sociolinguistic competence is explained, drawing on research in this area. Sources of problems in development of second language…

Discusses why and how American Sign Language should be used to teach English literacy skills. It is argued that previous studies have not systematically investigated the effects of American Sign Language on the development of English. (22 references) (CB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)

It is suggested that Chinese students in China and Chinese Americans have difficulty learning to read in English due to native language interference and to cultural traits and thinking patterns. Reading in English requires overcoming some psychological barriers. A chart outlines the different ways in which a Chinese student would read the same…

Ways in which culture in general and cultural change in particular affect approaches to and attitudes toward learning are examined, drawing on both published evidence and personal experience to support the position that changes in underlying technological and economic conditions create differing cultural behaviors, customs, values, beliefs,…