Reports on a study investigating how Americans respond to English as a Second Language (ESL) speech depending on the non-native speaker's accent and whether there were errors in the ESL speech. Findings indicate that Americans exhibit different cultural prejudices towards different foreign speakers depending on the accent of the speakers. (50…

Considers the controversies surrounding the traditional approach to teaching American History (focusing on a series of shared experiences and institutions) and the subsequent criticism that it excludes "other" experiences. Warns against the simplistic presentation of a single celebratory past while concluding that Americans share common…

Presents a series of lesson plans that include investigations in science, mathematics, geography, current events, and social studies. The cross-curricular activities help students broaden their understanding of time as well as of the "neighbors" who live in their own and other time zones. (MJP)

Examines Israeli-Druze students' reading comprehension in Hebrew as a second language as related to their attitudes, cultural background, and interest in the material. Participants were administered questionnaires, Arab and Jewish cultural stories, and multiple-choice questions about each story. Results are discussed. (51 references) (Author/CK)

Techniques for training students of international business to understand collectivism and individualism, both as they affect classroom interaction and as they may affect intercultural relations in business, are presented. Tools are offered for adapting group projects given to individualists in individualist cultures to help them develop a…

Discusses the need of young adolescents to belong to their own culture wherein they can attain peer status and achievement. Presents a project in Castle Hill School (Pittsburgh) as an example of helping urban young adolescents to build a culture of achievement. Emphasizes the importance of this culture for young adolescents who cannot separate…

Chronicles attitudes toward the spread of English usage in Italy during the twentieth century, focusing on the Americanization of Italian society. Finds two radically different reactions to the penetration of American culture: hostility and xenophobia during the first half of the century, and accommodation and acceptance after World War II. Also…

Considers the rationale and possible design for a university-level general language education curriculum in South African universities. Suggested components include language awareness (metalinguistics), cultural context, knowledge about language acquisition, and language learning strategies. Identifies practical, implementation issues of such a…

A French teacher's journal notes about his experience as a student in an intensive English course in a foreign country are presented. The notes address aspects of the language learning experience, including unfamiliar cultural context, intrusion of the new language into daily thought, resistance, translation, interference, and motivation. (MSE)

Debate concerning "African-American" as a better racial/ethnic designator than "Black" has become a major public issue. While proponents of the term argue that it gives Blacks a land and culture to mark their identity and experience, others consider the question irrelevant to the solution of serious socioeconomic problems. (AF)

Examination of 48 Black third and fourth grade students revealed that students presented tasks in a varied format perform no better than those presented tasks in an unvaried format. Low achievers may learn better in varied format conditions. High-achieving Black students more easily adapt to the school learning environment than do low-achieving…

An ethnographic study of high school seniors in a small rural midwestern high school revealed that, although there was a lack of direct parent and community involvement, the small cohesive class of 30 students constructed a school culture that promoted participation, cooperation, high expectations, and academic achievement. (LP)

Presents general background on the Israeli Circassians and focuses on a study of Circassian pupils in Kfar Kama, the larger of the two Circassian villages in Israel. This study confirms the solid self-identity and firmly entrenched position of the mother tongue among the Circassians of Israel. Additional study is planned. (35 references)…

Contends that craft art should be viewed as the inherent connectedness between an art object and its maker and perceiver. Maintains that school craft programs can increase students' international and intercultural perspectives. Asserts that crafts are meaningful if they are examined in context. (CFR)

Discusses three types of distance in art education that should be bridged: (1) between studio art and art criticism/history; (2) between thinking in images and thinking in words; and (3) between art and culture in cognition. Recommends a curriculum to integrate studio work with criticism and teach art along with culture. (CFR)