It is argued that the relationship between Kiswahili and ethnic community languages in Tanzania is not diglossic. The paper applies definitions/redefinitions to the Tanzanian sociolinguistic profile, considers Tanzanian language policy, suggests the basic tenets of diglossia do not apply, and proposes another term for the Kiswahili relationship…

Two studies investigated the following: (1) the perceptions of college math teachers and students (n=27) of the clarity of three explanations of a standard problem solution procedure and (2) the extent to which math teachers' and students' (n=23) oral presentations showed some awareness of the general mathematics principles inherent in three math…

Environmental issues that can be explored in social science courses include problems with potential to cause serious or irreversible change to an ecosystem or biosphere. Areas for discussion include: environmental attitudes, values, and behaviors; the environmental movement; risk perceptions; and the political economy of the environment and…

Introduces this special issue on the English language in Japan, which focuses on the historical phases of the introduction of English, the role of English in the educational system and the media, the contact and convergence of Japanese and English, the functions of English in Japan, and Japanese attitudes toward English. (three references) (MDM)

The island of Mauritius is examined, where Creole is the language of interethnic communication, English is used in government, the judiciary and education, and French is the dominant language of economic and cultural power. The historical background, educational situation, and possible future roles of the dominant languages are discussed. (33…

A discussion of the language situation in India focuses on the demand for inclusion of the Manipuri language in a list of privileged languages in the Indian constitution. The general language situation in India, linguistic reorganization of its states, population composition, and related linguistic issues are examined. (15 references) (Author/MSE)

Ways in which to incorporate education on francophone western Africa into French second-language courses are discussed. Geography, language role, and common themes to be explored are examined, and more complex aspects of the societies, such as beliefs and customs, are also considered as they may be appropriate for inclusion. (MSE)

Strategies for promoting French and French language instruction are described. In Norway, a French popular music promotion has been launched cooperatively by record producers in both countries; a Chinese program links like organizations in the two countries; and in Israel, an initiative focuses on French song. (MSE)

Describes preliminary results from research on language socialization practices of Black middle-class children and their mothers in Chicago (Illinois). Focus is on personal storytelling as a conduit through which values, beliefs, and identity are transmitted to middle-class Black children. (JB)

Examines the perception of four English vowels by adult native speakers of German. The role of foreign-language experience in the perception of second-language vowels was examined through labeling responses to members of synthetic continua in which vowel duration and spectrum were varied factorily. (42 references) (GLR)

Examines arguments for and against extensive English language teaching in non-Western cultures, particularly in Japan, including the ideologies of English in two Japanese discourses, "nihonjinron" and "kokusaika." It is concluded that instruction in English that is intended to promote social transformation should include both…

Response to an article on multiculturalism and the status of community languages in Australia, focusing on issues of language maintenance and shift emerging from the article and adding examples from other countries. Questions addressed include who is responsible for maintaining community languages, which are maintained, how this is done, and why,…

College second language programs offer more to students than knowledge of the language. Language study can challenge students intellectually and creatively and contribute to their academic and social development, even when language study is begun at this level. Value is found in the substance, process, and outcomes of language study. (Author/MSE)

Calls on the foreign language profession to identify a field of study described as a discipline with four subfields (language, literature, linguistics, and culture). Urges that language be taught not just as language but also as a structure reflecting the verbal and nonverbal expression of the culture, through curricular outreach programs to other…

Discusses the historical region of Istria, which is now divided between Italy, Slovenia, and for the largest part, Croatia, and where three national languages, Italian, Slovene, and Croatian function as standard varieties in the respective territories. Focuses on the role of Croatian in language planning and presents statistical data on language…