The English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) video recording project was designed to use student-produced videotape recordings to help 120 limited-English-speaking students learn to speak, read, and write English. Staff participated in a series of workshops on video program development and production techniques. Four classes developed video productions,…

A collection of essays addresses aspects of the integration of limited-English-speaking students into the regular classroom. The articles include: "A Quality Program for Learners of English as a Second Language" (Jean Handscombe); "I Grow for a Living" (Carole Urzua); "The Classroom: A Good Environment for Language…

This resource guide, for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy facilitators, reviews a variety of resources for ESL literacy. The guide contains three sections. The first section cites four books that provide a theoretical context for literacy work: "Ah-Hah! A New Approach to Popular Education" (Gatt-Fly); "Approaches and Methods in Language…

A discussion of Paulo Freire's contemporary pedagogy looks at the philosophy underlying the approach in the context of traditional educational philosophy. Freire's pedagogy of the oppressed, Liberatory Learning, which was originally developed as a reponse to illiteracy among Brazilian peasants, also holds significance for other culture and…

Objective and subjective analysis of trade trends, political and economic developments, and the anticipated effects of world-wide energy policies suggest that certain languages will become central to future international trade. Three language categories emerge, in descending order of importance. The first includes languages of the Orient: Japan,…

This handbook was created to prepare teachers who will work in non-credit English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs that are typically offered as a part of a larger Adult Basic Education (ABE) program. The handbook is designed to help these teachers to know which skills are included in language learning, the relative importance of these skills,…

The techniques used in teaching spoken and written English must be re-evaluated, and more effort should be directed toward helping individuals develop adequate ways of acquiring language skills. Classroom models that confront students with texts they cannot read effectively, and that compel them to repeat words and sentences in a chorus should be…

This project provided 360 students at South Bronx High School (New York) with instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL); Native Language Arts (NLA); the bilingual content area subjects of mathematics, science, and social studies; and computer literacy. The goal of the project was to provide instructional and support services to…

Recent research indicated that a field dependent cognitive style, often culture-based, can cause problems for learners of English as a Second Language (ESL). English language ability and learning styles, and field dependence (FD), and field independence, were tested in 157 adult Korean and Japanese ESL learners in university and…

An overview is provided of the history of English as a second language (ESL) instruction, including a discussion of second language acquisition and the characteristics of ESL instructors and students. The first sections provide an overview of the major language learning methodologies that have been most often associated with the adult as a…

In English as a second language/English as a foreign language classrooms where teacher-fronted instruction is still the norm, small group work tends to be avoided because conversational activities among nonnative speakers are generally thought to be of little use. The validity of small-group work among nonnative speakers is defended with both…

A handbook for Peace Corps volunteers gives ideas and suggestions for improving second language learning. Chapter one answers some of the most common questions about learning foreign languages, including the best age and means for language learning, avoiding mistakes, dealing with the inability to understand a message, the time needed to master…

The language laboratory could make a larger impact than it does on undergraduate language study. The growth of attractive new technology makes even more important the careful evaluation and exploitation of existing technology. A major obstacle in doing this is the lack of careful and rigorous research about the effectiveness of the language…

Compiled for educators who evaluate limited-English proficient (LEP) students, this directory lists over 200 tests available in 19 languages in addition to English. Tests are listed alphabetically by language, with a description that provides the name of the instrument, area tested, purpose of the test, grade or age level for which the test is…

With the rapid and dramatic influx of Asians of widely varying background to the United States, more comprehensive planning for literacy education will be increasingly important. Most research on literacy in English as a second language, particularly on transfer of learning from one language to another, focuses on groups with European language…