There has been a longstanding interest among second and foreign language educators in research on language and the brain. By understanding how the brain learns naturally, language teachers may be better able to enhance their effectiveness in the classroom. This digest examines current brain research and discusses its implications for second…

The following articles appear in this issue: "Changing Views of Language in Applied Linguistics" (Gillian Brown); "Society, Education, and Language: The Last 2000 (and the next 20?) Years of Language Teaching" (Michael Stubbs); "The Secret Life of Grammar Translation" (Malcolm J. Bensen); "Changing Views of…

This paper asks how findings from emergent literacy (the study of the reading and writing behaviors that develop into conventional literacy) can combine with findings from oral language development to expand the services provided to preschoolers with language impairments. After giving an overview of major concepts and research of emergent…

A study examined language socialization in Dominica (West Indies), focusing on the use of a French-based creole, Patwa, in a situation of linguistic and social change. Despite claims that Patwa is integral to Dominican identity, rural caregivers choose to speak English to language-learning children, contributing to rapid attrition of Patwa.…

A review of research on the development of linguistic competence in second language learners looks at the role played by input to children in their development of linguistic competence, the nature of children's metalinguistic development, and the same processes in the naturalistic second language learning of adults, and then examines the role of a…

Describes one teacher's numerous approaches for expanding the vocabularies and fostering positive self-concepts and attitudes toward school among the three linguistically very different groups of children in her classroom. (TO)

In this review, it is suggested that language influences the young child's thinking and behavior at an age earlier than commonly reported. Three areas are discussed: concept formation, communication, and problem solving. (CS)

Discussed the difficulties of learning Japanese and the recognition that only certain goals are realizable in learning the language. (RK)

Article describes a program designed to involve pupils in activities to foster language development. (Author/RK)

This essay seeks to identify the limitations of language as the primary basis for communication and to suggest a workable solution to meet our educational needs. (Author/RK)