This special issue consists of the following seven articles on communicative competence: (1) "Psycholinguistics and Language Teaching," by Elisabeth Ingram; (2) "Current Trends in Language Teaching at the C.R.A.P.E.L.," by Philip Riley; (3) "Who Needs a Teacher? - An Alternative to the 'Conversation Class'," by Ken…

Although the ultimate purpose of faculty evaluation should be improvement of instruction, it appears that most evaluation systems criticize or reject rather than attain better teaching performance. The evaluation instrument in the Department of Media Communication Science at Trenton State College has been lacking in certain evaluative criteria in…

Provides a summary of the events occurring at the Ninth Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, held in Bozeman, Montana, on July 27-August 2, 1986. Contains brief descriptions of sessions on the role of chemists, demonstrations of laboratory experiences, learning chemistry with computers, teacher training, and chemistry for elementary school…

Discusses the benefits of teachers acting as student advocates as opposed to mere functionaries of the educational system. Describes the qualities of a good teacher while showing how educational organization and administration make it difficult for such to exist. Suggests alternatives that would maintain the necessary organization while promoting…

Secondary special education programs should include employment or postsecondary education placement outcomes in the curricula for mainstreamed mildly handicapped students. Program elements that support these goals are: individualized transition plans; paid work experience; job-seeking skills curriculum; flexible staffing patterns; active…

Reviews common pronunciation problems experienced by learners of English as a second language who are native speakers of Vietnamese, Cantonese, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Greek, and Punjabi. (CB)

Lists recommended computer books published in 1985 and 1986. Categorizes the books as texts for teachers on the topic of computers in education, informational books for young children, and computer activity books. Provides an annotative listing including author, publisher, price, and an evaluation description. (TW)

Research indicates that four criteria should be considered in developing methods for teaching learning strategies to foreign language students: explicitness of purpose; content; evaluation; and integration of learner training with language training. Five English as a second language settings using learner training activities are described. (CB)

Describes the development and use of a computer-assisted language learning (CALL) laboratory in the English-language teaching unit at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Undergraduate students in a writing skills course were trained to use word processors which were available for the students' writing assignments. (LMO)

Language laboratories, VCRs, and microcomputers are not labor-saving devices for the teacher. Technology-mediated lessons demand as much, if not more, planning effort than does conventional instruction. Four points to consider in planning are (1) selection of medium; (2) selection of software; (3) amount of student control; and (4) amount of…

Offers perspectives of four different writing lab personnel, namely: (1) a new peer tutor with writing skills but no formal training in teaching; (2) a graduate teaching assistant in writing with no tutoring experience; (3) an experienced tutor reflecting on what he wished he had been taught; and (4) a director-tutor sharing her lab experience.…

Reviews empirical studies that have been conducted on program evaluation in large United States school districts. Provides information for use in assessing and improving evaluation studies and systems at the precollege level and in providing direction for further research. Sixty-seven footnotes are appended. (IW)

The following objectives for a k-12 multicultural program are discussed: (1) celebrations, (2) curiosity quest, (3) ethnic group contributions, (4) similarities among groups (case study approach), (5) consciousness raising, (6) communication, and (7) caring. Also examined are additional factors to consider in developing such a program, e.g.,…

This Yearbook begins with Robert J. Rickelman's presidential speech, "Predicting the Whether: Lessons Learned from the Past," which focused on looking at the "History of the College Reading Association" in order to predict some possible (the "whether") courses for the future of the organization. The author relied…

The days following September 11, 2001, were characterized for many by a startling clarity, as if someone had applied a magnified lens to life's everyday routines and every moment, every gesture, every word exchanged with friends, colleagues and family was more nuanced and precious than before. The decision to publish this volume of essays was…