In teaching reading, educators strive to find the balance between a code-emphasis approach and a meaning-oriented literacy approach. However, little is known about how different approaches to literacy can benefit bilingual children's early reading acquisition. To investigate the novel hypothesis that children's age of first bilingual exposure can…

This project explores the understanding of early year's teachers regarding whole language approach and its implementation. A total of 200 questionnaires were delivered to teachers at nurseries and kindergartens in an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) context. 169 questionnaires were completed and analysed. The findings shows that an overwhelming…

This paper analyzes whole language and code-based skills approaches in early literacy and the specific patterns of interaction present in both approaches. Nineteen hours of video data were coded to analyze the nature of whole language versus code-based skills instruction and document the allocation of time spent on each approach in a reading…

English literacy competence in the Central Pacific Republic of Kiribati is considered important for employment, overseas study and general engagement with a globalizing world. It is also considered as a key factor in the current government's response to climate change and sea level rise, enabling skilled relocation of I-Kiribati to other countries…

Based on a diagnosis of the problems in the traditional way of teaching English reading in China, this paper introduces the "whole language" theory and explores its application to the teaching of English reading. To begin with, it demonstrates the various problems in the teaching of English reading which severely prevent the improvement…

This document consists of the six issues of "NCLEnotes", the newsletter of the National Clearinghouse on ESL (English as a Second Language) Literacy Education (an adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse) published during the three-year period 1991-1993. Major articles in these issues include: "Issues in Literacy Education"; "The…

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…

Discusses the incorporation of content-based instruction in the English department of one school. As a result, verbal interaction was increased. With this success, the use of narratives was implemented in a whole-language project, with an emphasis on discourse analysis, specifically story grammar. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the move from whole language to phonics instruction in Los Angeles schools in an effort to rescue plummeting reading scores. (Author/VWL)

Whole language activities promote the English literacy development of young children with limited English proficiency. Teaching strategies for promoting whole language development include (1) content-specific instruction; (2) scaffolding; (3) caretaker speech; (4) wait time; (5) peer interaction; and (6) cultural relating. (DG)

A whole-language approach for integrating language and content and thereby facilitating students' transition from English-as-a-Second-Language to college mainstream classes is presented as an alternative to traditional as well as new models. Particular focus is on how the model works and the benefits of using such a model. (15 references) (JL)

At times, the whole-language approach to language teaching has been misunderstood. It is a philosophy more than a method or an instructional trend and is more than its separate elements: thematic, authentic, integrated, interactive. Many teachers who embrace the philosophy underlying the approach see their teaching not as promoting whole-language…

After an introduction to the use of the whole language approach in adult literacy instruction, this paper describes some techniques or activities used in two adult literacy programs in Vancouver with participants who speak English as a first and as a second language. The Municipal Workplace Literacy Program, operated by the City of Vancouver…

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…

Criticisms of the whole-language approach (WL) to English-as-a-Second-language teaching are addressed, focusing on concerns about reading and grammar instruction. Criticism of grammar instruction is refuted, arguing that WL does not view grammatical knowledge as prerequisite to language use. A modification of the WL approach to reading instruction…