This is a collection of papers which discusses characteristics of ESL (English as a Second Language) students in Kuwait. The first chapter, "Oral Communication," notes the extreme facility with which these students communicate in English. Chapter Two, "Names," explains how people in Kuwait are named and addressed. Chapter…

A study examined the ways that basal readers portrayed the family. It was expected that the readers would give only token representation of both parents working or of one-parent or mixed marriage families, and that very few portrayals of reading or of reading materials would be found. Eight basal readers from 6 publishing companies for grades 1…

Achievement motivation recently has been examined as a four-factor construct. Fiji, part of the British Commonwealth, provides an interesting testing ground for the question of different achievement patterns for different ethnic groups. The achievement motivation levels of high school students from four ethnic groups and university students from…

Despite its reputation for being a scientific and precise tool for measurement, psychological testing is a culturally biased procedure that results in discrimination against minority groups, particularly against minority students. Academic achievement and intelligence tests, the two types of tests most frequently used in public schools, assume…

Based on selected reading of the literature on medical anthropology and the sociology of modern and traditional system integration in other societies (developing and developed), this paper argues that state heteronomy is patently contraindicated, yet inevitable, should the funding and power structure behind Western health care systems be formally…

The findings of nine studies comparing the symbolic play of middle-class and lower-class children are summarized and examined in detail. Related research problems are discussed and directions for future research are indicated. Examination of the studies indicated that few general conclusions can be drawn from them about the relative quality of…

The author examines research in the field and answers questions about educating gifted and talented students. (Sections focus on the following topics: characteristics of gifted individuals; identification procedures (including standardized group tests, creativity tests, and parent nomination); recommended identification procedures; misconceptions…

Chicago's American Indians generally migrated in response to an urban dominant society, Bureau of Indian Affairs training programs, or termination of the Menomenee Reservation. A comparison of black with Native American status in Chicago indicates a vast economic differential resulting from the Indian's lack of political clout, longevity, and…

The report presents an overview of cultural policy in Switzerland. It was summarized from a 1976 study of Swiss cultural policy by the Federal Department of the Interior and published by the Council of Europe to provide information to cultural and political circles outside of Switzerland. The document is presented in two major parts. Part I…

Because life styles, values, social institutions, and "survival activities" differ in undeveloped rural areas from those in industrial societies, the techniques and approaches used by rural social workers must be adjusted to meet the needs of the population being dealt with. In forager and agricultural societies, social workers and other…

Research studies of teachers in developing nations are discussed and synthesized. An examination of government policies in the different countries provides a background against which the findings are viewed. Institutional and methodological characteristics of the studies viewed in each region are analyzed. Unresearched or unanswered problems are…

This publication contains classroom activities dealing with cultural awareness for grades two through 12. The materials are intended to help students develop positive attitudes about cultural differences, recognize the roles of self and culture in fostering and inhibiting cultural interaction and awareness, and develop an awareness of when change…

Coping skills and work motivation were investigated as predictors of academic achievement in Japan, West Germany, and Austin, Texas. Data were gathered from a sample of 3,600 ten and fourteen-year olds. Aptitude was measured by the Raven Progressive Matrices; achievement was measured by standardized tests in reading and mathematics, and by grade…

In order to determine the cognitive development of Navajo children in terms of Piagetian conservation of number, mass, and continuous quantity, 168 Navajo children at seven different age levels from 5 to adult were presented with a series of three conservation tasks. The tasks consisted of a standard object and an equivalent object that could be…

A self-instructional unit on eating habits and customs in Germany is presented for the high school student studying second-year German. Notes to the teacher outline general goals of the unit, specific objectives, additional activities, equipment, and student evaluation. The general goals are: to be able to eat a meal in Germany without offending…