This article describes the context and conditions of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs in Quebec's French-language schools and reports on several studies of the intensive ESL classes used in some elementary schools. Research on these programs demonstrates their effectiveness in fostering English language skills and positive attitudes…

This article discusses a battery of tests, the "Short Tests of Linguistic Skills," which was developed by the Chicago Board of Education to help teachers determine the language dominance of Spanish bilingual children between the ages of 8 and 13. (CFM)

Comments on an article on the socialization process of Grade 1 English-as-a-Second-Language students in a Canadian public school. The author of that article responds to these comments. (Author/VWL)

Investigated the language experience of second-generation immigrant Korean American school-age children (4-18 years) by surveying their parents. Reports responses to a small portion of the questionnaire that specifically addressed the issue of birth order. (Author/VWL)

Explores the complex relationship between second language writing and identity construction through an examination of English-as-a-Second-language learners' journal writing. Adopts a constructivist, sociocultural-historical framework to examine the discourses, texts, and voices of three 8-year-old Muslim girls as they learn English in a culturally…

Reports on two classroom studies regarding the effects of peer-tutoring intervention on the second language (English) acquisition of Mexican-American elementary school children. Findings suggest that peer tutoring may be effective in encouraging interaction between native and non-native speakers. (Author/CB)

Analyzes English spelling errors of 108 Spanish-speaking second-, third- and fourth-graders in a bilingual program. The less successful students produced significantly more Spanish-influenced errors than the more successful ones. "Long E" and initial blend "s" words were most frequently missed. (Author/LMO)

This study describes the participation of English-as-a-Second-Language (L2) students in the daily classroom events of a mainstream first-grade classroom. It discusses how, through socially significant interactional routines, classroom members jointly constructed the L2 students' identities, social relations, and ideologies, as well as their…

This study examined the language use practices of three bilingual students enrolled in a fourth-grade class and of the class as a whole. The study found that most children reported using greater amounts of English as they progressed through the grades, and that children consistently held very positive attitudes toward Spanish and bilingualism.…

Describes how Oyster Bilingual School's (Washington, DC) two-way Spanish-English language plan functions in its sociopolitical context. It is noted that this plan is part of a larger identity plan aiming to promote social change by socializing children differently from the way they are socialized in mainstream US educational discourse. (46…

Explores how the Learning Together form of cooperative learning influenced opportunities for acquiring academic English by second-language learners in a sixth-grade social studies classroom. Findings suggest that program developers must provide for context effect and teachers require a broad understanding of academic language. (59 references)…

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)