Most struggling readers, including those with reading disabilities, have difficulties recognizing printed words. This unique, lucidly written book synthesizes the research on how children learn to read words skillfully and translates it into step-by-step strategies for the classroom. The author demonstrates how to plan and implement a coordinated…

This study examines whether working memory capacity, a construct of current information processing theory, correlates with fluent foreign language (L2) speech production. It is based on M. Daneman's study (1991), who found significant correlation between individuals' working memory capacity and the fluency with which they can speak their first…

This paper discusses the interlanguage conversation as a process in an institutional setting. The interaction type in question is language proficiency interview and the material discussed is a series of interviews of French second language learners whose mother tongue is either Finnish or Swedish. These interviews are compared to non-evaluative…

This report was undertaken to help the Tennessee State government comply with federal requirements that all states collect valid, reliable, and uniform data for programs receiving federal funds as English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) adult education programs. Data must be collected to report learner gains in reading, writing, speaking, and…

Reports on a study to validate the use of the Picture Potency Formula for predicting the extent to which pictures will stimulate story production. Twenty-four children were asked to tell stories about pictures rated by the formula as being high, medium, and low potency pictures. Discusses potential uses for the formula. (FL)

The connections between language, reading, and cognitive development are considered, along with a method of teaching reading to young hearing impaired children. Principles underlying the Mount Gravatt Research Project in Australia that developed language based reading books for normally hearing children (2.5 to 6.5 years old) are examined. (SEW)

A centenary tribute to Wilhelm Vietor, whose work marked the start of modern methods of language teaching in Europe, describes the educational philosophy behind the reform movement. The movement focused on the value of spoken language and established an alternative to the grammar translation method. (MSE)

The adoption of the method used in "La France en Direct," of introducing authentic (i.e., not fabricated) cultural materials, in French language instruction in a Chinese university is discussed. It is suggested that foreign language instruction, when it brings cultural realities into contact, is in essence a study of human behavior and…

Examples of the differences between the oral language of Blacks and the standardized written language forced on them in English classrooms illustrate the need for teachers to appreciate language differences and to create a workable context for effective language instruction. (RL)

Summarizes progressions between 2 and 6 years of age in children's power of concentration, ability to express ideas, build logical relationships, structure spoken words, and play with the semantic, phonetic, syntactical, and morphological aspects of oral language. Notes that the progression depends on the educator's interaction with the child.…

Discusses the implications of the tendency of adult second-language learners to develop a well-structured, simple form of language outside the classroom, i.e. the Basic Variety (BV). Focuses on the structural properties of the BV, the status of these properties and the reasons why some structural properties of "fully fledged" languages are more…

Discusses the effect of print on sociocultural-historical change. A simulation model based on constructural theory is employed to generate plausible hypotheses about print. (28 references) (CK)

Outlines class activities promoting free oral interaction for intermediate English-as-a-Second-Language students in Turkey. The article recommends an initial stage of individual preparation. Suggested materials include newspapers, short articles, poems and scenes from plays, all providing an authentic language medium. The teacher's function is to…

Analyzes English-as-a-Second-Language students' code-switching in a Turkish school. The article shows that no empirical evidence exists supporting the notion that restricting mother tongue use would improve learning efficiency and that most classroom code-switching is intentional. (seven references) (Author/CK)

Offers an in-depth analysis of interaction patterns in just one example of one type of speaking event--the discussion class. Data comprised a video recording of a Master of Business Administration discussion group before and after the unexpected arrival of the tutor. Investigated the ways the presence and absence of the tutor impacted the…