A conference held in Lebanon to discuss and solidify the role of French as the country's second language is reported. Factors endangering the status of French, the political and cultural role of the language, and French-Lebanese cooperative efforts in support of French language and culture are outlined. (MSE)

A case study of the Bob Steele Reading Center in Connecticut demonstrates problems inherent in participatory literacy education when the learners, the program's culture, and the sociocultural context are not grounded in the participatory democratic ethic. (SK)

Affective aspects of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students' learning styles ("ESL classroom personality") specific to formal ESL settings were examined in a comparison of Japanese and Mexican ESL students. ESL classroom personality was also related with other variables including sex, English proficiency level, and length of stay in…

Necessary facilities for a successful implementation of bilingual education policy in a country like Nigeria are discussed. It is argued that the policy adopted there was too ambitious and unrealistic and that certain fundamental issues were ignored. Difficulties may lead to a total demise of the policy. (Contains 18 references.) (Author/LB)

Examines areas of study that all teachers receiving multicultural training and inservicing should explore (culture, cognitive learning styles, organizational and instructional strategies, bilingualism and cognition, and bilingual education for language minority students). Some researchers recommend taking a macro view of minorities to interpret…

Nine principles of participatory action research (PAR) are identification of individual and collective projects; changing power distribution; changing group and institutional culture; acting and reflecting; unifying intellectual and practical projects; producing knowledge; engaging the politics; using methodological resources; and creating theory.…

Argues that fragmentation of American culture has resulted in communication role reversal, making interpretation the primary task of speakers and writers and text construction the primary task of audiences. Suggests audiences must be provided with dense, truncated fragments which cue them to produce a finished discourse in their minds. (KEH)

Presents seven principles for applying technology to training and development problems. Based on General Systems Theory (GST), these principles were developed to help with long-term decisions. Highlights include instructional systems development models; complexity in cultural systems; matching training materials to user characteristics; systems…

A review of studies (1982-92) that made cross-cultural comparisons found human resource development (HRD) and related roles are interpreted differently; HRD is supported to varying degrees in different cultures; transfer of managerial and HRD techniques is subject to country differences; and cultural factors influence management models, career…

Four considerations for fostering metacognitive development in children who speak languages other than English are (1) bilingual metacognitive development; (2) use of primary language as the language of instruction, with contextualized second-language content; (3) understanding of the sociocultural context; and (4) a problem-solving approach. (SK)

Analyzes the stereotypical notion of Turkish girls as helpless victims of their patriarchal culture that is widespread in popular opinion and science. Suggests that psychosocial guidance is influenced by this stereotype and that girls are not supported in their search for forms of identity adequate to their lives as migrants. (DSK)

Describes the need and rationale for a culture-inclusive course for prospective and practicing teachers. Discusses related research that was carried out in a high school mathematics class, together with some of the issues and constraints that arose. Provides two examples of student projects and a description of the course. Contains 49 references.…

"Blood vengeance" is a culturally specific phenomenon that can place Bedouin-Arab children at high risk of neglect. This case study examines psychological and social implications of vengeance on children, the children's coping strategies, and the role of social work. The study provides insight into bridging the "emic-etic" gap…

The educational leadership field has not kept pace with globalizing events in policy and practice. Discusses major issues (transfer of ideas, clarification of cultural concepts, cultural assumptions in management, politico-cultural contexts, and tensions between indigenous cultures and reform tenets) raised in this special issue and expresses them…

Reports speech communication courses were taught in Malaysia as part of a cooperative educational program between Indiana University and the Malaysian government. Examines unique elements of the culture of the Malaysian students that affect their speech communication; suggests issues to be addressed in the "Malaysianized" program to…