It is argued that cognitive/academic language proficiencies in first and second languages are interdependent and empirically distinguishable from interpersonal communication skills. This analysis is applied to the interpretation of data on the effects of bilingual education programs and on the age issue in second language learning. (PMJ)

Examines key descriptors of competency-based education in light of critiques from the fields of curriculum theory, adult basic education, and second-language acquisition theory. Included is a discussion of: behavioral orientation; student-centered instruction; demonstrated mastery; and modularized instruction. (Author/CB)

Reports the results of research investigating the effectiveness of three types of English-as-Second-Language (ESL) programs in Quebec. Equivalent ESL curricula were taught over the regular 10-month school year in "distributed" programs, over a 5-month period in "massed" programs, and over a 5-month period along with…

A review of English-as-a-Second-Language programs for Indochinese refugees concludes that the long-term well-being of Indochinese people in the United States depends on programs that contribute to community organization, political action, and a capacity to confront causes of poverty, rather than programs that channel refugees into minimum wage…

Examines theoretical and practical deficiencies in how curricular objectives are selected for functional, competency based approaches to English as a second language instruction. Issues are illustrated through an analysis of the functional curricula of the United States Refugee Processing Centers. (Author/CB)

A review of research finds considerable evidence that second language instruction is beneficial (1) for children as well as adults; (2) for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students; (3) on integrative as well as discrete-point tests, and (4) in acquisition-rich as well as acquisition-poor environments. Implications for theory and instruction…

Statewide evaluation of California's Migrant Education Program found that supplementary instruction, focusing mainly on basic skills, was provided almost entirely by teacher aides and that regular classroom teachers showed little awareness of the migrant students' activities or progress in the program. (Author/CB)

Discusses the importance of fairness in evaluation studies of second-language programs and the potential for misinterpretation of studies which are not program-fair. Strategies designed to overcome this problem from the perspective of standardized tests include: specific tests for each program, program-specific plus program-neutral measures,…