This chapter describes the process of developing an English for tourism studies course at a trilingual university across five academic years. The process involved four phases. During the 2011-2012 academic year, I gained a grounded understanding of the needs of the learners from the standpoint of a "reflective practitioner" (see Farrell,…

As is the worldwide trend, scientists in China face strong and increasing pressure to publish their research in international peer-reviewed journals written in English. There is an acute need for graduate students to develop the required language skills alongside their scientific expertise, in spite of the distinct division currently existing…

Explains the importance of competence in standard American English in a developmental writing curriculum and reviews several theories of basic writing instruction. (EL)

To accommodate the increased number of foreign students as well as to provide for their various levels of English proficiency, Paris Junior College (Paris, Texas) has expanded its English as a second language (ESL) program into intermediate and advanced levels. Although all of the foreign students have received prior instruction in English, most…

Detailed analyses are given of the most effective teaching techniques in each of four major basic skills areas: writing, reading, English as a second language, and mathematics. Six basic questions are addressed for each area: (1) What are the objectives of skills programs in this area? (2) What are the different skills levels of entering students,…

A project was designed to upgrade workplace basic skills for the purpose of promoting productivity, retrainability, job retention, and/or job advancement. It created a partnership among Hewlett Packard-Fort Collins Site, Lutheran Family Services, and Colorado State University's Division of Continuing Education. Skills needed for representative…

A program developed for adult aboriginal and part aboriginal underachieving students uses the novel "Wild Cat Falling" in the admission studies course of an Australian college. The program combines a study of literature with language and skills development components, encourages student self esteem, and allows students to learn through their own…

This paper describes the development of a program to test oral and written language skills of students graduating from seven Hong Kong higher education institutions. The program's objective is to provide information for prospective employers concerning graduates' practical communication skills in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. The 2-year…

Thirteen authors present twelve articles concerning the development of basic skills programs in secondary schools. These articles focus on the following topic areas: practices and strategies for teaching basic skills in secondary classrooms; language as a factor in basic skills learning; development of skills in oral communication, reading,…

This guide provides teachers and administrators with one way of structuring the basic skills component of an adult basic literacy program and with an annotated bibliography of instructional materials. The curriculum guide discusses an integrated approach to basic literacy and presents case studies illustrating the process. A short bibliography of…

The seven papers in this collection describe projects in English for academic purposes. Analysis of the communication needs of learners is discussed in "English for Academic Purposes: Practice Material for the Listening Comprehension and Writing Needs of Overseas Students," by R.R. Jordon and Alan Matthews. The pedagogic advantages of…

Developed during a project designed to provide a continuous, competency-based line of vocational training in business and office education programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels, this package consists of an instructor's guide and learning module for a course on Business English. Various aspects of implementing and articulating…

In 1976, small special sections of English A (basic composition) were initiated within the English Department of the University of California at Davis to teach university-level writing skills to students in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), seventy-five per cent of whom speak English as a second language. This paper describes the design…