Students in a remedial resource room program were assigned spelling and vocabulary tasks under a goal-setting/no-goal-setting procedure to see if goal setting behaviors facilitate learning. Results supported Rotter's social learning theory and the use of unobtrusive goal-setting procedures in special education classes. (SJL)

Normal and learning disabled (LD) first graders were given a battery of language and perceptual-motor-memory (PMM) tests. Results indicated that: LD children generally are less proficient in vocabulary and language tasks; and language tests are better indicators of learning disabilities than PMM tests. (SJL)

Describes the components of a reading program for deaf children that is characterized by systematic and carefully planned increments of instruction, intensive review and reinforcement, and the use of materials that control the semantic and syntactic features of language. (MAI)

Discussed the individualization of vocabulary teaching in the ESL (English as a second language) classroom: (1) indirectly, through extensive reading, and (2) directly, through suitable vocabulary exercises. An experiment involving word frequencies is described that assessed the probable effectiveness of an indirect approach.

A monthly exchange of tips, projects, ideas and resources. (Editor)

Outlines an approach to using the translation of French songs in English as an effective and enjoyable learning activity for students of French. Steps include: respecting rhythms; finding and respecting meaning; respecting style; respecting sound; respecting your choice of intended listeners; and respecting the original version. (CB)

Reports on successfully using letter writing and dialogue journals in a classroom where the children's writing tended to be remarkable similar because they did not insert their personalities into their writing. Their writing grew individualistic, and their vocabularies improved through invented spelling. (SKC)

A study examined the effect of authentic language materials on cultural identification and language production of kindergarten children, especially in relation to classroom structures and routines as they appear through ethnographic analysis. (MSE)

Present results of a longitudinal study of vocabulary development as it takes place in a classroom setting involving elementary-level Swedish-speaking learners of English. The study used spew tests requiring pupils to write down as many words as they could in one minute that began with a given letter. (Author/LMO)

Allan Glatthorn, author of "Curriculum Renewal," makes specific recommendations for the content of the English "mastery curriculum," grades 5 to 12. These include guidelines for the six strands of the English curriculum: literature, language, composition, speaking and listening, critical thinking, and vocabulary development.…

Poor readers often know only the most common meanings or nuances of multimeaning (polysemic) words frequently encountered in reading materials. Teacher-directed, systematic vocabulary instruction must focus on specific problem areas. A three-step plan for teaching multimeaning words is proposed, emphasizing recognition and classification of word…

Four instructional activities for language learning are described, including a unit on body-related vocabulary and expressions using the names of body parts, reading headlines, reading an entire literary work, and "reading" pictures. (MSE)

Four activities for language learning are presented, including: an exercise in compound word formation; television program production; a puzzle made of text fragments; and organizing a trip to France. (MSE)

Reports on a study that investigated whether computer-assisted instruction is as effective and efficient as teacher-only instruction in helping children with severe learning difficulties master a basic sight vocabulary. Concludes that children can significantly improve their sight vocabulary with minimal daily individual instruction and that the…

Study compares the vocabulary generated from writing samples of 52 first-grade children in two whole language classrooms with vocabulary contained in the basal reader program. Concludes that whole language instruction does not limit children's exposure to systematic repetition of important vocabulary. (MM)