Foreign language teachers should be aware of certain sociolinguistic concepts that can be termed "language ecology," which has been defined as the study of a "language and its environment." These concepts are: classification, users, domains of use, concurrent languages, internal varieties, written traditions, standardization,…

Reviews language planning theory and discusses language planning in South Africa, both historically and in a postapartheid context. A politically minimal approach is suggested for the postapartheid state, where individuals would receive instruction in English, while being encouraged or allowed to maintain their native languages. (21 references)…

Compares the ideology of English monolingualism with a standard language ideology used to position speakers of different varieties of the same language within a social hierarchy. The article discusses the connection between assumptions underlying linguistic ideologies and other social ideologies related to individualism and social mobility. (104…

Paper presented at the 1973 TESOL Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (HW)

Reviews three themes examined in this special-issue of the journal on the emerging subfield of language-in-development: basic definitional issues; the locus and scope of language in development; and the role of English and other languages in language and development. Proposes a working definition of language in development as the resolution of…

Discusses the English Language Amendment (ELA), a proposed constitutional amendment before Congress which states that English should be made the "official" language of the United States. Presents historical background and arguments for and against the ELA but urges opposition to the amendment. Profiles senators and congressmen sponsoring…

Examines the role of English worldwide and introduces paradigms: a "diffusion-of-English paradigm" and an "ecology-of-language paradigm." Discussion of the two paradigms in light of recent tendencies within the European Union, the postcommunist states, and the international arena emphasizes the alliance between language…

Presents the viewpoints of two teacher educators--one American and one Australian--on how institutional policies can address the needs of language minority students. One viewpoint stresses the need for teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) to organize and support each other. The other emphasizes the value of constructing an…

Notes that Utah is home to many native English speakers who speak second languages as well as numerous limited-English-proficient (LEP) students who receive little attention to their language needs in the public schools. The article points out that Utah may continue to give declining educational support to its increasing LEP student population.…

Discusses reasons for the current popularity of learning English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Ukraine, focusing on why English teaching and learning has failed in state-owned educational institutions and on alternative forms of ESL teaching and learning. (CK)

Historical, political, and sociolinguistic aspects of the teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL) in Puerto Rico are examined. It is suggested that the apparent failure of ESL instruction is in reality a motivated failure: a society's successful resolution of a conflict between government planning for bilingualism and social pressure for…

Examines English teacher training in Central America where a high percentage of students are in private schools. The article highlights teacher training and practice, curriculum design and development, students and communities, and research directions and funding. (Five references) (CK)

Examines how and why language policy decisions were made in Indiana from 1976 to 1995 and what the effect of those decisions was on the delivery of educational services to language minority students attending public schools. The article draws on legal documents and interviews with legislators and advocates to show the process and outcome of the…

Examines the processes involved in language planning and policy and the role of English language teaching professionals in deciding and promoting language policies as well as how these professionals affect changes in their local contexts. Conclusions indicate that linguistic self-determinism is viable and desirable because it promotes social…

Describes English language policy decisions and implementation strategies in Tunisia and highlights the problems accompanying them. The article emphasizes that Tunisia has entered a critical stage in the promotion of English as the language of economic, scientific, and technological development and that the educational system must develop programs…