Second language learners of English responded to a questionnaire requiring them to identify the antecedent of a reflexive pronoun. Responses were compared to those of a native speaker control group, and first language transfer and recapitulation of first language acquisition were examined. (24 references) (Author/OD)

Urban elementary school teachers completed a checklist designed to determine a profile of the most significant factors that caused students to be at risk. Results indicated there were eight important factors: academic risk, behavior and coping skills, social withdrawal, family income, parenting, language development, retention, and attendance. (SM)

Presents various viewpoints on dual language acquisition by children. These include native language foundation, first-language monolinguals' vocabulary development, second-language learning, simultaneous acquisition strategies, television as a source of language learning, functions of language in discourse, analysis of conversation, syntax and…

This study used interview transcripts, videotape recordings of classroom sessions, field notes, and classroom photographs to examine the theoretical and pedagogical stances of three preschool teachers concerning language and literacy development of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Teachers held differing theories which influenced their…

A case study is presented of a nine-year-old boy with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and vision impairment, chronicling his development of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and literacy skills from birth to second grade. Development and use of his AAC system is described, along with activities for language and literacy development.…

Offers brief commentary on the studies included in this issue. Maintains that the four articles on children's home and school language is important professional literature for anyone who deals with reading and language. (BB)

This paper urges the use of Theatre Rehearsal Technique activities as communication learning experiences for adolescent African-American male learners with behavior disorders. The paper proposes that students may then gain quantifiable success in social communication interactions, and resultant reassessments of their special education placements…

Explains how parents can be their baby's partners in the "dance of development" by understanding the milestones, windows, and prerequisites of child development; by giving their baby the power and treasure of language; and by teaching their baby about kindness and beauty. (BB)

Discusses the importance of the inclusion of disabled students in regular classes as "full members" of their public school communities. Describes the ways in which this inclusion is achieved with a first grade student by means of an individualized education program. (BB)

A prototype interactive videodisc system was created with the objectives of teaching signed communication skills to hearing associates of deaf children and language patterns to deaf children. This paper reviews the applications of computer technology in deaf education, the self-instructional capabilities of interactive videodisc systems, and…

Reviews research on literature discussion groups, which suggests that groups allow readers to bring personal experiences to and take meaning from books, and young readers come to deeper levels of understanding. Discusses the use of literature groups in a kindergarten classroom, focusing on the teacher's use of and responses to literature, and the…

Defines the notion of literacy scaffold and explains why literacy scaffolding applies to both first- and second-language learners. Offers criteria for teachers to apply in developing scaffolds. Illustrates the model with scaffolding activities used with elementary children, emphasizing the kinds of social contexts that optimize learning. (MG)

Maternal infant-directed speech in Mandarin Chinese and Turkish (two mother-child dyads each) was examined to see if cues exist in input that might assist infants' assignments of words to lexical and functional item categories. Results show that sets of distributional, phonological, and acoustic cues distinguishing lexical and functional items are…

Describes one student teacher's experiences developing the literacy skills of a 13-year-old boy from the former Soviet Union who had poorly-developed first-language literacy skills and difficulty with English. After defining and describing linguistic development in general, the paper explains how the student teacher made tutoring effective and fun…

Examines the development and implementation of the Minority Language and Culture Teaching (MLCT) model in the Netherlands. MLCT allows non-indigenous pupils to receive instruction in the language of their country of origin for a limited time during their regular Dutch education. Outlines various theoretical arguments for and against the program.…