Computer-based and audio tape materials were compared for their effectiveness in helping students practice Chinese language lessons. Subjects were enrolled in an intensive elementary course in Mandarin Chinese. The textbook and audio tape were prepared by the Beijing Language Institute in China, and the computer-based material was developed by the…

This study examined the writing development of two language minority students over 3 school years, in particular, students' writing samples in the form of dialogue journals. Analyses focus on the function of content features (pragmatics) in their writing, the development of mechanical control (surface features), and the change in content over…

A study examined how one sixth-grade teacher's theoretical beliefs about literacy and biliteracy were reflected in her instructional practices. The subject taught in an English-Spanish bilingual classroom in a public school located in a neighborhood of low- to middle-class families in a large, southwestern city. Data included field notes…

This unit is designed to help teachers of students in grades one through three in the Northwest Territories (Canada) meet social studies program goals and to develop student language learning. The unit focuses on Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, and features nine lesson plans: location, physical features, transportation,…

The instructional materials for introductory instruction in Haitian Creole are designed for use with the Total Physical Response method of second language teaching, with priority placed on listening comprehension before production and on internalization of physical activities during use of the language. The text consists of 24 chapters targeting…

Noting that, in terms of language acquisition, the "basics" at schools should parallel the "basics" of common sense family life, this book examines the connections between play, language development, and learning in young children. Chapter 1 deals with the role of the teacher in a changing society. Chapter 2 addresses some of…

Traditional British attitudes toward foreigners, which are now being challenged by current economic realities, and the increasing internationalization of British business, which magnifies the need for employees to communicate effectively with people from other countries and cultures, are discussed. A brief overview is provided that covers recent…

A study of self-correction, or repair (the righting of the trouble source) among bilingual secondary students differed from most repair studies in three ways. It: (1) examined results in the form of description rather than in quantifiable analyses; (2) defined errors as trouble sources (hearable errors, breaks in communication such as word…

A study of the child's experience in learning a second language as it is embedded in his experience of kindergarten looks at two classes of unilingual (English-speaking) Canadian children in a half-day French immersion program. The immersion experience for the children is described in these terms: what "French" means to them; what and how they…

An annotated bibliography of materials concerning the role of culture in foreign language learning focuses on the complexity and the importance of cultural awareness and on its integration into the foreign language curriculum. The first group of citations concerns the value of culture in the communication process and includes materials on…

The writing apprehension experienced by Puerto Rican university students is examined. Levels of apprehension when writing in English versus native Spanish, for males versus females, and for students enrolled or not enrolled in writing classes are compared. The results indicate that the students, particularly the women, are more apprehensive when…

A series of four experiments explored a discrepancy in the findings of research regarding the use of the keyword method for learning vocabulary, specifically whether the presentation method (paced vs. unpaced) or the treatment administration (subjects in groups vs. subjects as individuals) determines its effectiveness. Two experiments involved…

Eighteen papers from the University of South Africa's Conference on Distance Education are presented. They include: "Effective Second Language Reading in a Cross-Cultural Society" (Irma Zaslansky); "A BA Degree in Social Sciences at the Israel Open University" (Ruth Beyth-Marom); "Establishing a Theological Education by…

This training manual is designed to improve understanding of Chinese American children, their families, and the issues surrounding the assessment process, to assist educators in creating a more appropriate assessment and learning environment for the limited English speaking Chinese American child. Three training modules are included; each module…

A study undertaken to assess the educational services offered to children in three diverse bilingual communities gathered data through interviews with a variety of school and community people, classroom observations, and review of school documents. The results of the data gathering are summarized for each of the three communities: (1) an urban,…