Numerous studies have investigated the effects of prewriting tasks on writing quality and language (e.g., individual vs. collaborative planning, text-chat vs. face-to-face [FTF] discussion, etc.). Recent meta-analyses have found a small advantage for text chat on writing, but no studies involved logographic languages, for which character learning…

This document provides ideas for collaboration between English, Math, and credit ESL faculty and institutional research, planning, and effectiveness (IRPE) professionals in the California Community Colleges to examine local impacts of AB 705. The ideas from this document were generated and collated from regional workshops and events hosted by the…

Following Ellis's (2005) call for more social and process-oriented planning research, this study explores how learners approach collaborative planning tasks in the classroom as a locally contingent activity in situ. Drawing on ethnomethodology and conversation analysis, the present study focuses on a group planning stage that precedes the final…

This paper examines the early childhood context of Hong Kong (HK) which is characterised by an entirely privatised system. The level of knowledge a child possesses in early childhood can be a determining factor in their admission into desirable kindergartens or primary schools. Given HK's privatised early childhood education system, the quality of…

In the last decade, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has mandated proficiency requirements for teacher candidates at nationally recognized universities and published a position statement recommending teachers use 90% or more of the world language during instruction. The author explains reform is more successful…

Across the United States, mainstream and English as a second language (ESL) teachers have been sharing their expertise using coteaching and collaboration strategies gleaned from their counterparts in special education inclusion classrooms. These teacher leaders are working together to enhance instruction for their English language learner (ELL)…

Research on pre-task planning has shown that planning has beneficial effects on learners' subsequent language output. However, to date most of this research has focused on solitary rather than group planning. Furthermore, very few studies have investigated what actually happens during the planning time. This study, conducted in an EFL class in…

Initial proposals for creating an education program for the European Community are presented in this report. These proposals are limited to broad areas which the Commission has delineated in this first program for a council to work with. The main themes identified as starting points are (1) mobility in education, including the mobility of…

The Foreign Service Institute of the U.S. Department of State trains government employees in languages for foreign service. The Interagency Language Roundtable provides a forum for managerial linguists, and the author suggests its cooperation with university language departments. (CK)

This article draws on the results from 18 round-table discussions and a symposium that involved community, education, and government stakeholders in building a vision for quality, equitable ESL education. The findings suggest six pillars of effective ESL education: comprehensive programming; responsive funding allocation; cultural competence;…

This study examined whether linking classes with a common syllabus would have a positive impact on students' English progress and attitudes toward language learning. Participants were Japanese college students studying English as a Second Language. Their program required three English classes taken concurrently per week over one academic year. The…

This document contains 23 papers on European trends in vocational education and training (VET) and the development of occupations and qualifications. The following papers are included: "Vocational Socialisation and Competence Development: The Historical Dimension" (Walter R. Heinz); "European Trends in the Development of Vocational…

Describes an effective model for a collaborative approach to designing integrated multimedia materials for language courses. The University of Winnipeg is successfully using the model to create a first-year French course. The model includes collaboration between departments, colleagues, and instructors with their students to design a…

The need for cooperation between bilingual teachers and teachers of English as a second language is addressed in this position paper. Operational definitions and characteristics of bilingual education and English as a second language are presented, and the interrelationship of bilingual education and English as a second language is clarified. The…

Foreign language instruction should focus on developing in students a coordinated set of basic language learning skills, the acquisition of which would make it possible for the student to learn more than one language. Such an instructional package would fit well into the communicative approach to language instruction, and would provide a common…