On April 8, 2016 when the class was discussing "digital literacy," a shocking news story from London AP intrigued us. The news was about a brief text message delivered by Ahmed, a refugee Afghan boy of 6-year old. His text message flashed on the cellphone of Liz Clegg, a volunteer at a migrant camp in France. Clegg and other volunteers…

This study focuses on the nature of children's participation in an Australian early childhood context in which their second language is used. The aim is to create knowledge of toddlers' modes and trajectories of participation. Empirical data documenting the participation of two toddlers were gathered through video observations of everyday…

Using communicative activities with learners from diverse cultures can create excitement and empathy while promoting the acquisition of English. This article offers ESL/EFL activities that foster interpersonal tolerance among students who have experienced intergroup conflict. The activities are based on the idea that there are four levels of…

This article describes two educational settings in Nigeria where teachers adapted a language experience approach for reading and writing instruction. The first setting is a professional development workshop for public school teachers of students in grades 1-6. The second setting includes two groups of students with special needs: a grade 6 class…

This study investigated how the context of a Primary 3 (P3) teacher of Luganda in Uganda influenced the teacher's literacy instructional decision-making, beliefs, pedagogy, and practices before and after she was provided with supplies and literacy instructional procedures that helped produce reading materials for her students. The contextual…

In Highgate Public School (Toronto, Ontario), resource personnel help regular classroom teachers to facilitate learning of English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students mainstreamed into the regular classroom. One of the units successfully used at the school is described. (Author/CB)

Considers approaches to English-as-a-second-language instruction that utilize or encourage the use of story-telling to help participants share and grow, and use language, beyond the limits of pre-set, traditional curriculum. (Author/CB)

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative impact of skills-based and whole language approaches on the listening comprehension of English as a foreign language (EFL) students with low and high listening ability levels. The subjects for the study were 96 pretested EFL students, divided into two treatment groups for 15 weeks. In the…

The educational and linguistic rationales for designing an adult English-as-a-Second-Language literacy program based on phonics are discussed, with specific reference to an Ibibio adult literacy program in Nigeria. An introductory section gives an overview of Nigerian policy and practice concerning literacy education. Next, the phonics approach to…

In Luxembourg, children learn to read in two languages beyond their native Luxemburgish. Beginning in the first grade, children start on German, and in second grade, they begin the study of French and continue to study the two languages intensively throughout the elementary school years. How do elementary school teachers approach such a formidable…

Outlines teaching strategies developed in an inservice program for elementary teachers in rural areas of Bolivia; notes the importance of developing children's oral language skills, using the local environment as the basis for language experience lessons, and including community study in the curriculum. Presents ideas useful to teachers in other…

Alberta's guide to English as a second language (ESL) instruction in the elementary schools is designed as a supplement to the general elementary language arts curriculum guide. It provides guidelines for programming that gives ESL students opportunities to learn English. It contains: (1) an orientation section on the nature of culture; (2) a…

A study of bilingual education in the Northwest Territories is conducted to survey literature on bilingual education; to assess programs being implemented at present in the Northwest Territories; to seek views and ideas of individuals involved in and interested in northern education; and to develop recommendations for changes and/or increased…

Investigates the characteristics of Beijing's community English language programs as well as those of the participating students. Findings reveal that community English as a foreign language (EFL) programs provide a needed component to EFL instruction in China. It is concluded that these programs offer an effective educational experience to…

This handbook is intended to introduce tutors to literacy work with bilingual students who are fairly fluent speakers of English and who are often to be found in a literacy class for native speakers of English. The introductory section, which deals with literacy and the second language learner, covers influences on and difficulties encountered…