A survey of 117 California educators found that 90% believe there is a reading crisis; they identified multiple factors: teaching methods, lack of parental support, and high numbers of English-as-second-language learners; 60% felt they were inadequately prepared to teach reading. Those who rated their ability excellent or good believed in…

Presents key aspects of the whole-language perspective; describes examples of whole-language principles in practice in elementary, secondary and adult English-as-a-Second-Language programs; and reviews recent whole-language research on second-language development. (56 references) (VWL)

Recognizing that increasing pressure for greater accountability has accompanied recent economic changes, this book presents 11 articles on literacy evaluation and assessment. They are: (1) "Evaluation: A Political Issue" (Wendy Crebbin); (2) "Understanding Evaluation" (Kaye Lowe and Bill Bintz); (3) "A Difficult Balance:…

This paper reviews a small sampling of recent research-supported method studies that were consistent with the prominent current philosophical practice in English-as-a-Second-Language/English-as-a-Foreign-Language (ESL/EFL) reading education. It focuses on the following: The Advent of Whole Language in ESL/EFL Study; Teaching from a Constructivist…

Innovative methods and strategies are described for teaching writing to potentially English proficient (PEP) students (also known as "limited English proficient"), who may or may not be literate in their native language, using holistic natural approaches. The approaches are based on the premise that students acquire language (speaking,…

This book presents essays that reflect the dialogue and the spirit of conversation of the 1990 International Federation for the Teaching of English (IFTE) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand. The book begins with some of the impressions of the IFTE conference held by the classroom teachers, school administrators, writers, and scholars who attended…

English Teachers' Journal is an official publication of the Israeli Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Each issue contains a series of articles on a single theme, a theme that changes with every issue. Regular features include "Spotlight on Schools"; "Of General Interest"; "From the Field"; "Book…

Immigrant deaf students face multiple challenges in school as they frequently learn two new languages simultaneously: English and American Sign Language. Some have limited or no formal schooling experience. Describes units of study--one for Spanish-literate middle school students and one for elementary students with limited literacy skills--that…

Highlighting typical days in a variety of whole-language classrooms, this book describes learners of all ages, beginning with a home day-care setting through preschool programs and elementary classrooms to a junior high and high school. The book also describes a special education site and an English-as-a-Second Language classroom, and concludes in…

Presents a whole language model for teaching social studies that is helpful to students learning English-as-a-Second-Language. Outlines whole-language principles, and provides a lesson plan that incorporates these principles. Points out that such principles draw upon student experiences. (NL)

A study assessed and compared the effectiveness of two distinct approaches of bilingual education used within a single school district in El Paso (Texas). The program designs, one a traditional transitional bilingual and the other a bilingual immersion, were implemented under similar conditions of resources, school year length, class size, and…

This booklet provides strategies for implementing whole-language reading and writing in classroom and tutorial settings for at-risk learners, with a focus on migrant students. The whole-language approach integrates reading, writing, listening, and speaking into language arts, social studies, science, and other content areas. Within an environment…

A review of recent literature on the whole language approach to second language teaching focuses on the value of the approach for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learning. It examines research and theory dating back to 1977 on various aspects of the first- and second-language learning environment and process in children. Based on this review,…

Project GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design), a model of inservice teacher training in which teachers learn to modify instruction to promote acquisition of English as a Second Language, is outlined. The model uses the whole language approach to language learning. Its development was guided by research in whole language theory; integration of…

This paper describes cooperative learning strategies, their research base, and the rationale for their use as an instructional process for low English proficiency students (LEPS). The paper examines seven components of effective implementation of cooperative learning with language-minority students, and reports on preliminary work on a 5-year…