Undergraduate students majoring in Islamic Studies at the women's colleges in Saudi Arabia need to take an English-for-Specific-Purposes (ESP) course each year of the B.A. program. The material for all four courses was developed in-house by a group of instructors at those colleges. An examination of the course material in general and reading…

The purposes, development, characteristics, target population needs, appropriate materials, and teacher qualifications of an Occupational English as a Second Language Program (OESL) are presented. OESL is a component of bilingual education that utilizes open entry and exit and a competency-based individualized instructional approach. (PMJ)

Analyzes data from a questionnaire addressing preservice elementary teachers' negative attitudes toward social studies. Identifies and discusses six categories of concern: negative past experiences; lack of personal interest; confusion over the nature of social studies; conflicting beliefs; topic selection; and traditional teaching styles. (MJP)

Social workers in direct practice rely on critical thinking to apply theories, make informed decisions, and explain their assessments and decisions. This paper defines critical thinking and discusses skills needed for its development, methods and assignments for teaching those skills to undergraduate and graduate students in practice courses, and…

Provides an overview of the structure and topics included in undergraduate course on Indian and Chinese history. Briefly reviews such topics as Land and People, Emergence and Evolution of Traditions, Expansion of Islam in Asia, European Imperialism, Nationalism and Independence, and Democracy and Development. (MJP)

Contrasts two approaches to achieving depth in an 8th grade U.S. history class. One presents a detailed and chronological approach, the other a discipline-based matrix structure with chronological and regional evolutions as a backdrop. Favors stressing major principles and generalizations while focusing in depth on prototypical examples. (MJP)

Outlines several historical cases that can be used to illustrate and teach paradoxical concepts concerning democracy. For example, can an "undemocratic" action be correct (the Louisiana Purchase)? The combination of historical incident and controversy provokes a lively and challenging discussion of democratic principles. (MJP)

Discusses the need to polish the foreign language skills of second-language teachers during their professional training. This training should concentrate primarily on the improvement of confidence in spontaneous target language use and grammatical accuracy and should also emphasize pedagogical development and reflection. (one reference) (CK)

This article describes a train-the-trainers course that provided training in sound instructional strategies to 10 assistive technology specialists who work with people who are visually impaired. Topics included conducting assessments, writing training proposals, developing the curriculum, planning lessons, and analyzing learning styles. All…

Describes an experimental undergraduate seminar on the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge. The course takes a multidisciplinary approach, using case studies to draw together theoretical principles from library and information science, the philosophy and sociology of science, critical thinking and problem solving, and the…

Assesses the state of social work education and makes suggestions for improvement including distinguishing between specialized and professional knowledge courses; teaching interpersonal skills for working with organizations and communities; differentiating subventionary and instrumental interventions; reformulating course content on policy and…

Asserts that most research into the effects of high school economics curriculum upon performance in college level economics courses fails to consider that secondary economics education rarely teaches micro- and macroeconomic concepts. Discovers that any gap in learning between students in economics is narrowed by the first semester in college.…

Delineates a number of instructional and administrative strategies for integrating global education into the classroom. Addresses such issues as the organized opposition of some groups, the concerns of parents over subject matter and approach, lack of resources for teachers, and global education for special needs students. (MJP)

Argues that existing methods of internationalizing the business curriculum can be applied in distance learning, an area of rapid growth in U.S. higher education. Presents a model for determining course objectives, using and developing faculty knowledge, organizing course content, determining delivery systems, promoting interaction, broadening…

Asserts that the study and performance of religious music within an educational context is a vital and appropriate part of a comprehensive music education. Discusses various guidelines to determine if the inclusion of religious music is educational and and neutral. Briefly reviews the legal considerations. (MJP)