Students in the targeted school exhibited a decline in reading scores between second and fourth grade. Due to poor reading levels for 2 consecutive years the state put the school on a probationary list with in its district. Evidence for the existence of the problem included documented low reading test scores, below proficiency assessment records,…

This report describes a program for improving the reading skills of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. The targeted population consists of 19 ESL students, ranging in age from 7-10 years, in a western suburb of a large metropolitan city in Illinois. The problem of poor reading ability was documented through low reading scores on the STAR…

This handbook provides background information, ideas for classroom instruction, and suggestions for reflective practice for teachers of literacy and bilingual students. All approaches described here encourage the integration of all language skills in teaching literacy. An introductory chapter examines the principles and processes of literacy…

Elements of recent national educational reform in Yugoslavia that contribute to the integration of native and foreign language instruction are outlined, touching on instructional techniques for phonology, communicative competence, written and oral expression and comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and grammar. (MSE)

These four articles focus on developing basic reading, science, and job search skills: "Reading Program for Vocational Classes" by Augustus Luparelli; "Why Teach Employability Skills?" by Larry Siefferman; "Improving Vocabulary and Reading Skills" by Edythe Conway; and "Science in Everyday Life" by Virginia Eleazer and George Carney. (SK)

Nine contributors discuss: short-term grouping to improve reading performance, using picture books to inspire creative writing, writing musicals in the classroom, reading aloud to remedial readers using book boards to motivate readers, and other topics. (FL)

Lists and annotates research studies in six major categories: bilingualism and bidialectalism; language and verbal learning; literature, humanities, and media; teacher education; testing and evaluation; and written and oral communication. Category subdivisions are: preschool and elementary, secondary, college and adult, status surveys, and reviews…

Argues that treatment of foreign language vocabulary will vary predictably according to whether the instructional activity is based on a structural or a lexical/collocational view of language. Notes that in a structural approach, vocabulary learning is primarily a frequency- and input-based individual endeavor, while the lexical approach is more…

Examines the inferencing procedures used by university-level second language (L2) learners of French to guess at the meaning of unfamiliar words in a written L2 text. The article combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and compares the strategies used by students assessed as high or low in French proficiency relative to their…

Focuses on the efficacy of computer use for learning Kanji characters and improving Japanese vocabulary levels, with reference to software designed to improve Kanji learning in a self-access learning mode. Findings reveal that all the students in an Australian university using the computer to learn Kanji increased their grades and that those most…

Studies the effect of vocabulary glossing on reading comprehension in second-language learning. Findings reveal that there was a significant effect for glossing but no significant interactions between the treatment and any of the other variables, i.e., psychological type, tolerance of ambiguity, proficiency, frequency of gloss use, perceived value…

Analyzes how three university teachers of English as a Second Language answered student' requests for help in understanding unknown vocabulary items during lessons mediated via a task-based, small group methodology. Notes that teachers tended to answer learners' referential questions with display questions of their own. (68 references) (Author/CK)

A study involving 356 twin pairs with early language delay found environmental influences shared by both twins were more substantial than genetic factors. Heritability was significantly higher in those with persisting difficulties but only when assessed in terms of parental concern at 3 years or professional involvement at 4 years. (Contains…

A study investigated whether differences in working memory could account for variance in word recognition and receptive vocabulary skills of children (ages 5-16) using oral communication (n=32) and total communication (n=29). A contribution from working memory was observed only for the span tasks that incorporated an auditory processing component.…

Suggests titles and learning activities to promote the use of children's books in the elementary school classroom. Language arts topics addressed include language skills; vocabulary enrichment; distinguishing between reality and fantasy; the concept of point of view; poetry; creative writing; and reading. (six references) (LRW)