Outlines the plain English movement, examines how it has influenced legislation and education, and discusses publications pertinent to the movement. (ARH)

Defines and discusses metaphors and how people in every field of knowledge use metaphors to teach and learn. Stresses the importance of using metaphors as part of instruction in every aspect of education. (MG)

Explores the advantages and disadvantages of microcomputer text editors and spelling checkers and implications for their classroom use. (SRT)

Explores the general features and some unique usages of West African English, Caribbean English, and Indian English. (EL)

Shows how language arts teachers can help the language building strategies of children by providing creative drama activities to allow them to use a range of strategies in appropriate ways. (EL)

This digest focuses on the application of discourse analysis to second language teaching and learning. It provides examples of how teachers can improve their teaching practices by investigating actual language use both in and out of the classroom, and how students can learn language through exposure to different types of discourse. (VWL)

This digest considers the misconception that grammar is a collection of arbitrary rules about static structures in a language by challenging 10 common myths about grammar and its teaching. The myths include the following: (1) grammar is acquired naturally; it need not be taught; (2) grammar is a collection of meaningless forms; (3) grammar…

Since language largely derives from social interaction, preschool children should be provided many opportunities to converse, question and play with words. In this way children learn what to do with language in order to communicate effectively and appropriately. Recently begun investigations of language as it is actually used may produce findings…

Describes several curriculum resources that focus on eliminating sex stereotypes through nonsexist teaching strategies, activities, and material selection for middle and high school language arts, reading, and English classrooms. (RS)

Commemorating the end of George Orwell's year, 1984, the majority of articles in this journal issue are devoted to some aspect of language. The first article alerts teachers to the need for a critical examination of Orwell's underlying assumptions about language change in "Politics and the English Language." The next five articles deal…

Examines research findings concerning sex differences in communication and offers suggestions that might heighten students' awareness of effective communication styles. (EL)

Describes ERIC resources that present research on children's language usage and development and that suggest activities for the promotion of language development. (ET)

This digest reviews materials which discuss political correctness and its manifestations on college campuses. First presenting opposing definitions of the term (liberal and conservative), the digest then reports on the topic as seen in the research, and offers several suggestions about incorporating the conflicts themselves into the curriculum.…

This annotated bibliography contains 28 references to articles in the ERIC database about interpersonal communication. It contains citations from the period between 1987 and 1989 and is divided into three sections. The first section presents several citations for instructional strategies in the area of interpersonal communications. The second…

People have strong ideas about children growing up with a second or third language. These ideas influence how they look at other people's children, and influence how professionals such as teachers, doctors, and speech therapists advise parents of children growing up bilingually. This digest seeks to dispel some of the myths about children growing…