In the many different stages of the writing process, teachers of composition need to be sensitive toward cultural differences which may exist between them and their students. Large numbers of foreign students participate in writing courses in American colleges, and research indicates that the minority student population will increase sharply in…

Lifelong education is a critical issue for higher education. The number of adult learners in university classrooms is and will continue to increase. This paper addresses: (1) the impact of the changes in the cultural diversity of university students; (2) motivations of adult learners for continuing their education, with its implications for…

Zitkala-Sa, a 19th century Native American woman who won second place in an 1896 Midwestern oratorical contest, resembles many students who daily cross borders--geographical, economic, linguistic, and cultural--balancing on a tightrope of assured losses and uncertain gains. Known as Gertrude Simmons before and Gertrude Bonnin after her marriage,…

This monograph addresses topical issues in training, service delivery, and research for minorities in communication disorders. It presents extended versions of papers that were delivered at the conference, "Concerns for Minority Groups in Communication Disorders," held in Nashville, Tennessee on September 17-19, 1984. Papers include: "The First…

This paper notes that most Americans believe that Black African firms operate their businesses along European lines. Within America's business community, the study of Black Africa now enters its third decade of benign neglect. Reasons for Americans remaining blind to Black African business principles include ignorance of Africa's complex past,…

Some language features are described that could account for feelings of people from different cultures not being on the same "wave length" when they communicate with each other in business negotiations. Candlin's explanatory approach involving a "top-down, bottom-up" methodology is used. It views language as being indeterminate…

Characteristics of maternal responsiveness in interactions between mothers and infants in New York City, Paris, and Tokyo are compared. A total of 72 primiparous mothers and their 5-month-olds were observed at home. Of the dyads, 24 were Caucasian American, 24 Caucasian French, and 24 Oriental Japanese. Observations were conducted in an identical…

The paper discusses counseling approaches with parents of young deaf children with particular emphasis on issues of the deaf community and deaf identity. The cultural implications of deafness are examined, and the effects of their child's deafness on parents' security, status, and aspirations are noted. Examples from counseling groups in urban…

Most American-born (or native) blacks think of Afro-Caribbean women as clannish, thrifty to the point of greed, constant strivers, uninvolved in civil rights and women's rights activities, and believing in stereotypes of native blacks' inferiority. These images are tied to the Afro-Caribbean woman's immigrant status. As a foreigner, she constantly…

The author presented a short history of his Irish heritage and defended his family's ethnic contributions to American culture with the plea that ethnicity should be encouraged as a cultural strength rather than as a threat to American cultural cohesion. (RK)

A discussion of the multiple problems confronting immigrant laborers to Western Europe in terms of acculturative pressures, housing difficulties, and social integration. Special attention is devoted to the dilemma of how best to educate their bicultural children. (EH)

The construct of self-esteem has received considerable attention in recent years. Self-esteem is defined as a personal judgment of worthiness that is expressed in attitudes that individuals hold for themselves. This study compared self-esteem of American and Chinese children. Subjects included 446 American elementary school students from the…

This booklet is a guide for discussion among teacher groups, including affiliates of the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. The booklet presents 14 brief case studies designed to increase awareness of the range of meanings embraced today by the term literacy--reading and writing of course, but also…

This curriculum unit provides educators with 10 lessons designed to make sexuality education culturally relevant for Latino youth in grades five through eight. While affirming the traditions and characteristics of Latino families and cultures, this structured curriculum introduces sexuality as a lifelong process that goes beyond physical intimacy.…