In addition to learning to read and write for the first time, adult English language learners with limited or emerging literacy skills must acquire oral English. Often, learners with limited print literacy in their first language have oral skills in English that exceed their English literacy skills (Geva & Zadeh, 2006). While this mismatch of oral…

This study explores middle-level administrators' perceptions of the implementation of English as a foreign language curriculum policies in the Chinese tertiary context. Drawing on data collected from interviews with the department heads of six universities in a north-western city in China, the article examines their perspectives on the national…

Adult English language learners in the United States approach the learning of English pronunciation from a wide variety of native language backgrounds. They may speak languages with sound systems that vary a great deal from that of English. The pronunciation goals and needs of adult English language learners are diverse. These goals and needs…

A discussion of language testing focuses on how proficiency scales are constructed and applied to communicative language assessment in Australian secondary schools. A variety of rating scale types are described and distinguished according to how they are constructed, what they attempt to measure, and what criteria they contain. A more detailed…

This paper compares the perceptions of school principals with those of novice teachers on the competence of such newly qualified members of staff. Findings suggest that the school principals and the novices both had similar perceptions regarding the satisfactory performance of the novices, although the novices tended to rate their own performance…

The Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) underscore both the mandate and the challenge of assuring that English Language Learners (ELLs) achieve the same high standards of performance that are expected of their native English speaking peers. The intent indeed is laudable: states, districts, schools, and teachers…

Materials compiled for a conference on the assessment of Japanese second language proficiency include a partially annotated bibliography of references concerning proficiency testing as it may relate to the Japanese language and an overview essay entitled "Towards the Development of Proficiency and Other Tests in Japanese as a Foreign Language…

This descriptive study examined practices in three Texas school districts concerning referral, assessment, and placement of limited English proficient (LEP) Hispanic students in programs for the mentally retarded (MR), and their impact on effectiveness of services for the LEP population. Subjects were 61 Hispanic LEP students (grades 2-5) enrolled…

A study found that trained standardized patients could provide a reliable assessment of English proficiency of foreign medical graduates by comparison with a standardized language test, but further research is needed to determine whether it is necessary to provide a clinical context for language assessment. (MSE)

As bilingual education emerges after the 1974 Lau decision, the additional need to test the language proficiency of bilingual education teachers is recognized. Examination of possible means of validating language proficiency of bilingual education teacher certification candidates shows several alternatives, some desirable and some not. A review of…

A collection of papers discusses the importance of bilingual education's goals of high-level English proficiency, appropriate cognitive/academic development, and adequate psychosocial and cultural adjustment for language-minority students and describes various instructional strategies to achieve those outcomes. The papers include: "The Role…

Highlights of a state survey of educational programs to assist limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in Idaho's elementary and secondary schools are reported. An introductory section describes the legislative background and history of the survey and the methods used to gather data on programs and students. These methods include questionnaires,…

A series of main goals and a number of secondary objectives for the Torrance School District (California) bilingual education program are outlined and their attainment assessed. The objectives apply specifically to Japanese and Korean students of limited English proficiency in four elementary schools. The goals envision the following outcomes:…

A proposed program in English as a Second Language (ESL) for limited-English-proficient students at California State University at Los Angeles (CSLA) is outlined. Eligible international students and recent immigrants and refugees would be identified and placed using a test of English for academic purposes. The proposed program would consists of…

The third systemwide review of Florida's state university second language programs is reported. The executive summary presents some institutional enrollment data and capsulizes findings and recommendations for improvement. The report's introductory section addresses systemwide concerns and issues, including state policy initiatives and comments on…