Presents results of a survey undertaken to determine (1) the situations in which Dutch students (secondary and higher education level) and workers would be required to use French, German, and English, either for personal or professional tasks; and (2) what gaps existed in actual proficiency in these languages. (AM)

A business professor offers a plea for clarity in communication and for the use and teaching of simple, unhackneyed English, giving examples of misuse, errors, lack of comprehension, and general bad usage. She suggests various techniques for business communication teachers to improve students' communication skills. (MF)

The same semantic strategies for requesting are available in Spanish and English. Bilingual children use more polite strategies in speaking Spanish and more neutral ones in speaking English. (PMJ)

Examines the dynamics of language in Catalonia and the development of Catalan educational policy. Discusses the suppression of the Catalan language under Generalissimo Francisco Franco and its reappearance after his death in 1975. Summarizes key arguments concerning the relationships among identity, nationality, education, and language. (MJP)

Use of television weather broadcasts is recommended for instruction in both French language and culture. Class activities can focus on geography, comprehension of meteorological terminology, or predicting the weather in different areas based on current charts. Some exercises are suggested. (MSE)

A study of five adult males with autism investigated which combination of input/output modalities (typed or spoken) enhanced the syntactic, semantic, and/or pragmatic performance of individuals with autism when engaging in conversations with a normal language adult. Results found that typed communications facilitated the use of longer utterances.…

The centrality of multilingualism as a world-wide phenomenon is examined, and six issues needing attention are identified: the variable impact of official policies concerning language; contrasting views about multilingualism; scarcity of basic research; language spread and the hegemony of English; lack of attention to languages other than English;…

Explores issues involved in teaching literature that may use derogatory racial terms to a multicultural class. Ways to approach racially insensitive literature or language in worthwhile literature that may appear insensitive are discussed. Open discussion and respect for students' opinions are essential. (SLD)

Examines language in an initial teacher training course and shows how trainees' awareness can be raised by looking at samples of the way they use it themselves. (five references) (Author/CK)

Seeks to link the rapid pace of societal change in Hong Kong over the past 50 years with changing patterns of language use there. Shows how the country has changed demographically, economically, politically, socially, and technologically. (16 references) (Author/CK)

Asserts that, in the social studies classroom, students' participation in language activities in which form, function, and audience are varied is a crucial dimension of their becoming effective citizens. Includes a table listing linguist Michael Halliday's seven purposes of language accompanied by classroom examples of each. (MJP)

Survey of sixth and seventh graders in 47 schools revealed that adolescents who spoke Spanish with their parents were less likely to have had an alcoholic drink relative to adolescents who spoke English and Spanish with their parents. Differences also were found based on language use with friends, country of origin, and sex. (RJM)

Latin American models of "intercultural-bilingual" education may be inappropriate for multilingual, interethnic regions such as Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast, where five indigenous and Afro-Caribbean minorities interact in overlapping territories. Examination of one such program and of Coast people's complex linguistic and cultural…

Reports two-year sociolinguistic study of English use by five immigrant children. Observational findings compare "substantial" and "minimal" English contacts by experienced children. Illustrates benefits and hindrances to English learning, and how contacts depend principally on children's English abilities. Discusses English…

Analyzes the "deficit theory," which suggests that children from lower socioeconomic environments enter school without the linguistic resources needed for success. Suggests that teachers avoid labeling children as verbally inept when their language does not conform to the teacher's linguistic model. (MM)