Considers current research into television viewing and its possible influence on student behavior; analyzes international developments in mass media and the cultural influences they may impose in the future; and suggests ways English teachers might face and oppose this new culture through language. (FL)

Investigates the concept of politeness as perceived by native speakers and advanced learners of English. Results indicate that the learner's ability to judge politeness in the target language does not necessarily mean s/he can use politeness strategies correctly in actual communication situations. (EKN)

Discusses the results of an examination of the scripts used in eight television programs popular with teenagers that indicate that viewers are exposed to short, simple sentences and largely unsophisticated language structures. (AEA)

Presents a method for impressing upon students the need for more precision in language usage. (FL)

The distinction between teaching the grammatical system in a simplified form and teaching the ways to use it is applied to teaching scientific writing in English. The specific language features referred to are differences in meaning resulting from grammatical choices and appropriateness of grammatical alternatives in a specific context.…

Discusses the current meager state of knowledge of sex differentiation in language variation and concludes that poor theorizing and inadequate methodology are to blame. Describes a study of pronoun usage by male and female Japanese speakers to show that research on sex differentiation in language is possible. (EKN)

Three brief articles present ideas for instructional materials and techniques. One idea examines word use in advertising, especially homophones. A second suggests a game to identify and label parts of the Great Pyramid. The third provides a number of mathematical games and exercises in French. (MSE)

Examines children's progression in the use of humor in language from taking folktales seriously, to using humor for shock, to using humor to alter social environments. (HTH)

Locates and analyzes the following verbal alignment devices in job interview talks: accounts, formulations, meta-talks, and qualifiers. Results reveal--among other important implications for the job interview process--that interviewees, by assuming a timid, powerless role, may be yielding in a way that jeopardizes their being hired or future job…

Examines the characteristics of diglossia and applies them to the current sign language situation in the United States. Concludes diglossia does not exist and argues that what is really happening is code switching between languages and style shifting within a language. (EKN)

The gender-linked character of descriptive terms recurrent in studies reporting gender differences in children's play is examined. It is suggested that such terms are linked to gender as a socially determined classification, influencing observation and interpretation of gender-related behaviors. (Author/GK)

Presents a sampling of documents from the ERIC datebase on the role of gender in communication. Includes documents in the following categories: instructional strategies, secondary school studies, gender and language choices, intercultural situations, and communication practices. (PD)

Proposes that in the quest for truth, teachers and students concern themselves with the prevalence of information overload, euphemisms, and doublespeak. (JL)

Concludes that there may be some need for teachers to alter their language of instruction so as to eliminate specialized terms that create confusion among beginning readers. (FL)

Presents a series of exercises designed to provide freshman composition students with a base for analyzing works rhetorically, to point out how language can be used persuasively, and to illustrate how satire functions. (FL)