This study examines the nature of the involvement load (Laufer & Hulstijn, 2001) in second language (L2) lexical input processing through reading by considering the effects of the reader-based factors of L2 reading proficiency and background knowledge. The lexical input processing aspects investigated were lexical inferencing (search), attentional…

Looking for a "habanero" (extremely hot) lesson to engage first-year Spanish language students in an in-depth study of Spanish-speaking countries? This article offers an overview of how the authors used 21st-century tools to get students excited about the not-so-new assignment of reporting on the people and culture of another country. Chances are,…

Intended to aid teachers, librarians, and others in the selection of Spanish-language books for children in grades K-12, the annotated guide includes books by Hispanic authors which highlight the lifestyle, folklore, heroes, history, fiction, poetry, theatre, and classical literature of Hispanic cultures. Most books included in the guide have been…

This report on the use of the Spanish language in the United States discusses the Spanish-speaking population, the language itself, and bilingual education in the United States. The background about the Spanish-speaking population includes the following topics: (1) "A Nations of Immigrants," (2) "The Population of the…

This culture game is an adaptation of "Sovietiquette," developed by Donald K. Jarvis. It deals with the everyday culture and basic geography of Spanish-speaking countries, and is designed as reinforcement for previously presented cultural material. The game, written in English, is intended to teach the middle school student correct responses to…

This teacher resource book describes the Spanish-Mexican contribution to the cattle industry, rodeo, and cowboy culture. It provides background material, resources, and activities for developing a bilingual-bicultural education course for primary, intermediate, and upper grades. The first three sections discuss the cattle industry, American rodeo,…

This resource book on Spanish and English names, origins, and meanings gives the teacher background material for developing bilingual classroom activities. Knowledge of one's name is important for developing self-concept in a bilingual-bicultural education program. Section one contains a history and development of surnames. Section two traces the…

Four booklets present articles on Spanish language and culture aimed at teachers of Spanish in the United States for student use in their classes. Number 17, "Los Jovenes Espanoles" (Spanish Youth), includes articles on Spanish youth sports, music, gangs, thoughts, and t-shirt slogans: (1) "Young Spanish Athletes"; (2)…

Spanish-speaking children of Northern New Mexico exhibit varying degrees of interference and integration of English in their speech. (CK)

A 1971 study of formation of language attitudes and their basis, and in particular the concept of "best" language variety, among predominantly immigrant Mexican-American parents is reported. (RM)

The Bilingual Mini School focused on educational services of a bilingual nature for students in kindergarten through grade six. At the kindergarten, first and second grade levels all classes were comprised of Spanish-dominant or bilingual students. At grades three, four and five the students were grouped based on language dominance (Spanish or…

THE STUDY OF FOREIGN, PARTICULARLY LATIN AMERICAN, CULTURE IS DISCUSSED. DANGERS OF NATIONAL PROVINCIALISM ARE STRESSED, AND SOME HISTORICAL INSTANCES OF BOTH ETHNOCENTRISM AND CULTURAL CURIOSITY ARE GIVEN. A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF COLONIAL CULTURES DEVELOPED IN THE AMERICAS WOULD BE ONE EFFECTIVE WAY OF INTERESTING STUDENTS IN LATIN AMERICAN…

IN THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, FOUR MILLION SPANISH-AMERICANS ARE CONCENTRATED IN FIVE STATES. THEIR CULTURAL TENACITY IS A PECULIARITY NOT DISPLAYED BY OTHER IMMIGRANT GROUPS. EVEN AFTER 125 YEARS THEY SPEAK AND LIVE IN A SPANISH-AMERICAN SOCIETY. THE REASON FOR THIS IS DIFFICULT TO DISCERN, BUT IT IS FELT BY SOME THAT THIS TENACITY IS VERY NOBLE AND…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of the ability to recognize standard and nonstandard speech in monolingual English-speaking as well as in bilingual Mexican-American children. The tests used consisted of sentences which were either completely standard English or which contained phonological, morphological, or…