Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated September 15th through October 15th, is a great opportunity to kick off a whole year of cultural discovery. This article presents 25 great ideas for Hispanic heritage. These 25 fresh ideas--from Aztec math to Carnaval masks--are easy to put together, and they offer students the chance to celebrate their own…

Methods for using various visual materials, readily available in the classroom, to motivate the learner to communicate more freely in his second language. (RB)

A group of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers share tips on how to incorporate the latest ESL techniques into teaching strategies to reinforce what children are learning in ESL and to enrich school for all students. (MT)

Described a program designed to help no-English speaking and/or foreign-born students adjust to the environment of the American classroom. (Author/RK)

English-language learners, according to research, learn best through instruction that draws upon their strength in their first language. It is unlikely that any teacher would have knowledge of even a fraction of the languages that are spoken by students in American classrooms, particularly since some large school districts report as many as a…

There are many myths about award-winning schools. Most attribute outstanding school success to money or luck--generous state dollars, corporate sponsorships, that one-in-a-million principal who could run a small country in his spare time. Sure, these things help, but the 20 schools that walked away with this year's Intel and Scholastic Schools of…

David Bilingual Learning Center (Tucson, AZ) blends academic and cultural learning into an enriching experience through an elementary magnet program which teaches language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science in students' native languages of either English or Spanish and then incorporates the second language through a "Language of the…

Concerned with the student that uses the non-standard language of his family and friends, and suggests ways and techniques the teacher can use to teach language to these students. (RB)

Discusses the education of Indian children (Navajo) in kindergarten who learn in a bilingual-bicultural program. Their instruction begins in Navajo, with English taught as a second language. (Author/RK)

Presents 12 ideas for meeting the educational and social needs of second language learners, including: assess student needs; empathize; foster a sense of belonging; assign a buddy; use sheltered English techniques; teach key words; read and reread books aloud; provide opportunities for success; keep track of language progress; value bilingualism;…