This article strives to open a window on 'eco-humour', an umbrella term for diverse forms of humour targeting ecological and environmental issues. It encourages readers to consider eco-humour as a valuable, pedagogical toolkit for environmental education and communication. To this aim, eco-humour is, first, put into perspective of humour…

Preverbal communication means any social behavior that occurs before children communicate verbally. Generally, these communicative behaviors are categorized into two ways: as behavior regulation (BR) or joint attention (JA) skills. BR, also referred to as requesting, involves the use of behaviors to gain something or receive assistance (Mundy et…

Educational pioneers believed that the early childhood curriculum was inappropriate for most of the children. It needed to be modified to meet each child's maturing needs, abilities, and interests. The pioneers advocated that education should be more hands-on and assist children to function successfully in society. They recommended the initiation…

The current challenges for languages in higher education may be summarised as: global and local socio-political changes; diversity of learners with different life-long and life-wide needs and wants; demands for effectiveness, accountability, and employability of our language provision; different modes of delivery at different times and forms; and…

The transformations that have taken place in the French "ecole maternelle" (nursery school) over the last 30 years may be characterised by a dual dynamic, internal and external, of scholarisation. Firstly, the analysis of its changing position with regard to primary school and within early childhood education and care shows a relative…

The dynamic systems theory, a theory that goes beyond Piaget and Vygotsky, looks promising for curriculum development. In this theory it is explained how a curriculum that creates physical and psychological space for play and initiative learning (self-regulation) is being designed and how the teacher can support the enrichment of play and…

James Moffett's influence in Australia is shown here manifested in a particular Syllabus for Years 7-10 from the 1970s. Moffett is discussed in terms of the totalising nature of the theory presented in "Teaching the Universe of Discourse" and it is argued that not only the details of Moffett's theory, but also its totalising nature were…

In countries where English is a second language, there has been a movement over the last 60 years from supporting indigenous languages over foreign language--English--to the present one where, with globalization and market demands, English is beginning to be seen as an indigenous language in itself. The teaching of English from Grade 1 about five…

Thematic units are more than isolated lists of vocabulary, grammar points, or language functions. It is important to design thematic units from the national standards with clearly defined objectives. They should offer opportunities for connections with other content areas. Units should also have a strong cultural foundation, perhaps centered on a…

Recently, the Modern Language Association (MLA) called for a major reorganization of undergraduate academic programs and even the structure of foreign-language departments. Typically, the initial two years of language instruction are taught by non-tenure-track instructors with little or no voice in the department. Faculty members mainly teach the…

This article, which was inspired by results obtained from the use of neighborhood resources as an integral part of children's school learning experiences, presents an approach to social studies for preschool and primary children. (RH)

This model develops the ESL component by combining practical advantages of bilingual classrooms and theoretical trends in bilingual education while avoiding traditional ESL texts. Included are identification of objectives, materials selection, English language inventory, and lesson design and presentation. Content area in both languages is used to…

Explores parallels between understanding of chemistry for younger teenagers with the learning of a language by younger children. Also discusses: (1) teacher perspective and the development of core science; (2) religion and science; and (3) the physics examinations of the Department of Science and Art. (JN)

This article presents a curriculum for speech-language-communication skills which combines the Present Education Level and Individualized Education Program formats for deaf and hearing-impaired students. Information on carryover procedures, parent/teacher contact, and report card format is presented. The curriculum was designed for preschool…

Analyses some of the difficulties involved in implementing the recently approved Basic Education Program for primary and secondary education in Sierra Leone. Discusses issues such as funding, training, and retention of teachers, curriculum reform, language development, equipment and supplies, and evaluation. Concludes that political stability is…