This article describes an action research (AR) study with multiple cycles undertaken with undergraduates over three years. The university is a trilingual institution in Italy where degree programmes are taught in Italian, German and English. The study's aim was to improve the syllabus of an advanced English for Specific Purposes course using a…

There are approximately 68,000 students in Houston Independent School District labeled as "English language learners" (ELLs). Many of these students have the additional obstacle of being recent immigrants who have been in the United States for three years or less. In recent years, the number of immigrant ELLs in the district has…

There are approximately 65,000 students in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) labeled as "English language learners" (ELLs). Many of these students have the additional obstacle of being recent immigrants who have been in the United States for three years or less. In recent years, the number of immigrant ELLs in the district…

Using eight waves of longitudinal data on a statewide kindergarten cohort of English learners (ELs), I examined ELs' tenure in language-learning programs and their academic performance following reclassification as fluent English proficient. I employed discrete-time survival analysis to estimate the average time to and grade of reclassification…

In a year-long preparatory English class in a state university in Turkey, students are expected to develop knowledge and skills related to language including grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading, writing ,and speaking. In this context students and teachers are challenged in considering how much accuracy should be emphasized in the learning and…

Twenty-nine percent of 2010-2011 Austin Independent School District students were English language learners (ELLs). The majority of ELLs (62%) made progress in English proficiency and they showed overall improvement in most state academic test (TAKS) content areas for most grades.

In most Western countries where English is the medium of instruction, there is a substantial gap in student success between immigrant English as a second language (ESL) students and non-ESL students. In the United States, this situation has been observed in particular with Latino ESL students. This article describes a longitudinal study of two…

This study sought to identify ways in which programs can provide effective instruction to improve the English language and literacy skills of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy students. The study also examined attendance patterns of adult ESL literacy students and instructional factors related to attendance and provided descriptive…

The Title VII Newcomers Program of the Austin (Texas) Independent School District served 104 students in its second year of operation. The program was designed to improve the English language proficiency and academic skills of limited-English-proficient (LEP), immigrant students in 3 high schools. Most were native Spanish speakers. Major findings…

The 1985 issue of the journal on second language teaching and learning contains four articles in French and three in English, including: "Lire et comprendre un texte informatif (Reading and understanding an Informative Text)" (Jacqueline Billant, Pascale Fade); "Les nouveaux diplomes de Francais Language Etrangere: Le D.E.L.F. et le…

This paper presents an alternative view to the pedagogical needs relating to literacy for Aboriginal students. The question posed is how to utilize this knowledge to lessen the impact of perceived failure in early schooling of entrenched non-attendance patterns for Aboriginal students of compulsory school attending ages. The potential for…

The report provides an overview of bilingual education in California. It begins with recent data on demographic trends in the state, particularly among elementary and secondary students, the rate of increase in enrollment of limited-English-speaking (LEP) students, first languages of LEP students, and the family's influence in English language…

Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (Project CALLA) was a federally funded program serving 960 limited-English-proficient students in 10 Manhattan (New York) elementary schools in 1992-93 its third year of operation. The project provided instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL), mathematics, science, and social studies in…

A national survey concerning the experiences of young adult Southeast Asian refugees during their first 2 years in the United States is reported. The study gathered information in 11 cities from 6 groups: state refugee coordinators, voluntary agencies and mutual assistance associations, higher education representatives (adult education, community…

In its first extension year following a 3-year funding cycle, Project GET SET served 108 Bronx junior high school students with limited ability in both English and Spanish, in two schools located in economically depressed, predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. The project's major goals were to develop both English and Spanish language skills and…