Presents three broad areas--writing anxiety, motivation, and beliefs--that seem to be ripe for study in terms of affect, and suggests that the constructivist views refined by George Mandler could be helpful to drive such research. (NH)

Reviews a book that presents a method for teaching writing supported by theory, and that is illustrated with examples of students' and teachers' writings. The authors' methods are based on four propositions drawn from their command of modern discourse theory, philosophy, and linguistics. (NKA)

Lists and annotates recent textbooks in the areas of teaching theory and practice, fiction, poetry, drama, and computers and media. Also lists source and course books and reference books. (FL)

Asian American studies arose from a commitment to serve the community. In a discussion of how that goal has not been realized, the report covers the following: (1) definition of community research; (2) factors that prevent it from being meaningful; and (3) factors that promote more relevant research. (PS)

Reports on case studies in English Language Teaching (ELT) of the "four-skill hypothesis" in order to show that an empirically grounded ELT theory is possible. Several hypotheses which control pedagogical decision-making (but for which substantial evidence of their efficacy is lacking) are uncovered. (SED)

Describes the experience and implications of the Kewdale Project for English teacher education, particularly inservice, and for learning theory in practice. (HOD)

Argues that learning to spell is a developmental process and reviews research showing that errors made by poor spellers can indicate the point at which that development has broken down. Discusses some of the linguistic strategies students must acquire to become proficient spellers and offers teaching suggestions for helping students develop a…

Addresses both reading researchers and reading teachers, urging them to cooperate in relating research to classroom practice. (HOD)

Stresses the importance of devising accurate methods of evaluation rather than teaching material only because it can be easily evaluated. (DF)

Describes the efforts of the Crediton Project, an ongoing research project in Devon, England, to develop an assessment scheme that accounts for cognitive, affective, moral, and stylistic development in children's writing. (DF)

Presents two major points of disagreement with George Henry: English education is not a discipline, and the study of English is primarily the reflexive use of language. Also points to one area of agreement--that there is a lack of theory with respect to the teaching of English. (HOD)

Presents "fail-safe" lessons for emergencies and substitutes. Describes an experimental design with six steps, designed to help teachers teach students some things about themselves, such as whether boys are better spellers than girls. Offers other examples from the classroom. (EL)

Argues that different kinds of response statements, focusing on issues from cultural, historical, phenomenological, and structuralist approaches to reading texts, can be assigned to help students learn about more demanding kinds of information and, hence, can make students stronger, more informed, and more self-conscious readers of literature. (EL)

Notes studies defining important communication skills for a wide range of job categories, but which many courses in business, technical, and science writing are not providing. Suggests changes for the basic business communication course, including modes of writing and rhetorical principles. (HTH)

Describes the efforts of the staff of one urban high school in Mississippi to develop and implement a school improvement program based on a school effectiveness model. (FL)