Suggests that an analysis of spontaneous speech collected in a simulation can provide insight into the way messages are produced and understood. Describes an experiment which used this technique to study the linguistic performance and communication strategies in anglophone children learning French. (SED)

Directions in second-language curriculum development in Australia are discussed in the context of three contemporary educational value systems or ideologies: classical humanism, reconstructionism, and progressivism. (MSE)

Describes how three schools applied "Writing to Read," a computerized writing and reading program, in kindergarten and first grade. (HOD)

Concludes that there may be differential effectiveness of method of reading instruction according to sex, with females finding letter training simpler than word training and males finding the reverse. (FL)

Examines the lexis of two university students and identifies their styles and competence levels. (DF)

In 1978 a controversial evaluation found no difference in achievement between Hispanic students in transitional bilingual programs and those in regular classroom programs. The authors present an argument favoring the use of stuctured immersion programs instead of bilingual programs. (MD)

Addresses the question of understanding a foreign culture and its link with vocabulary acquisition in the second-language classroom. Problems in current research and classroom practice are examined. A synthetic approach to culture and vocabulary through modification of a notional/functional syllabus is proposed as a solution to the problems. (SED)

This article looks at the problems and challenges of distance education. It examines the history of distance education and the predominance of technology. It explores the role of the educator and the learner and their interrelationship. It also concentrates on techniques that provide structure and dialogue between learner and educator. (CT)

Describes demonstration grant project undertaken by the Rapid City South Dakota school district to determine whether computer assisted instruction (CAI) would be beneficial to Native American children. Discussion covers operation and results of the program, which offered CAI instruction in reading and language arts to students in grades three to…

The Association of Educational Data Systems (AEDS) conference included 102 presentations. Abstracts of seven of these presentations are provided. Topic areas considered include LOGO, teaching probability through a computer game, writing effective computer assisted instructional materials, computer literacy, research on instructional…

Focuses on differences in mathematics aptitude between Anglos and Hispanics and any effects that differential enrollment in mathematics and math-related coursework might have on these differences. Data from a longitudinal study show household language interacting with mathematics aptitude. (SA)

Presents a broad overview of Australia's diverse immigrant population, with focus placed on the work experiences of females. Analyzes census data to describe the following characteristics more specifically: education, English proficiency, labor force involvement, occupational niche, unemployment, entrepreneurship, and income. Reports that, with a…

Emergent reading attempts of 24 children at the beginning of their kindergarten year are content analyzed in light of theoretical considerations about general and language development. In addition, the reading attempts of two-, three-, and four-year olds are examined. Comparison of data reveal a developmental progress across age-levels. (HOD)

Reports on a study that investigated the span of letter recognition (the region of text from which letter information is used during a fixation) for good and poor fifth-grade readers during a reading task. (HOD)

Reports an investigation into pupil-talk in small groups during a computer simulation. The role of language as a communication and understanding aid is considered, along with the microcomputer's potential as a stimulus to and generator of discussion. The contents of participants' conversations, at and away from the microcomputer, are analyzed.…