This document consists of the two issues published during 1998 of the newsletter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) national special interest group (N-SIG) on foreign language literacy. Major articles in these issues are: "Academic Protocol and Targeted Rhetoric" (Denise D. Brown); "Key Concepts in FL Literacy:…

This instructor's guide contains materials for a 40-hour course that explores interpersonal communication and improves participants' ability to communicate with fellow workers and family members. A title page provides a course description with target audience and general objective. An introduction covers design of the 10-week course, with 2 2-hour…

Designed for continued language learning beyond the intermediate level, this workbook provides practice and sets of exercises for improving speaking and listening skills in Bulgarian through class participation and discussion, and reading and writing. The book includes grammar explanations, news reports, brief biographies of prominent Bulgarians,…

The role of item response theory (IRT) in determining the validity of second language tests is examined in the case of one specific test, the listening subtest of the Occupational English Test (OET), used in Australia to measure the language skills of non-native English-speaking health professionals. First, the listening subtest is described. Then…

The role of personal narrative in multicultural education is examined. First, the relationship between student voice, storytelling, and the transmission of culture is discussed in the context of recent literature on those topics. The concept of voice describes the process of expressing oneself meaningfully through utterances and actions according…

Although there is general acceptance that information presented in formal learning situations must be encoded linguistically by the learner, there is little research on the differential aspects of various types of linguistic encoding strategies. A study sought to determine the differential effects of three linguistic encoding strategies on…

A study explored the effects of direct instruction and modeling on students' ability to follow written directions. Subjects in the experimental group, 62 eighth-grade students enrolled in a suburban New Jersey middle school reasoning and study skills program, were given 22 class sessions of direct instruction and modeling for following written…

Presented are 10 activity-oriented units designed to provide an introduction to study skills in mathematics for pre-algebra students. Topic areas of the units include: listening as a study skill; problem solving; understanding the language of mathematics; learning from homework; using formulas; estimation; preparing for a test; and taking a…

In this study relationships between class size and 688 first grade students' academic achievement in reading, listening, and mathematics were examined in the 1986-87 and 1987-88 school years. Achievement test scores of 338 children in classes of 20 children each in l987-88 were compared with test data of 350 first grade children in classes of 27…

This manual introduces some of the essential principles of counseling. It is geared toward the training and education of those who have not had significant prior counseling experiences and is not comprehensive. These topics are discussed, focusing on basic, introductory material: (1) general principles of human behavior and motivation including…

Intended for instructors, this handbook is to be used with "Thinking Critically" (Second Edition) and is divided into four sections. Part 1 (Using "Thinking Critically") is designed to give practical strategies for applying the material in "Thinking Critically." A summary of key ideas and terms for each chapter is provided as well as suggestions…

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the English language proficiency of foreign students who apply for higher education in the United States. It is administered according to a strict schedule through the International and Special Center (I&SC) testing program or at ad hoc intervals by institutional users as part of the…

This series of five booklets is intended to assist principals and teachers in Tasmania in planning a broad-based continuous program of speech and drama throughout primary and lower secondary classes. The material contained within the booklets has been arranged and presented to emphasize the basic concepts and skills which are inherent in a speech…

Reading and writing plays can be a good way to learn reading, listening, and writing skills. This paper contains suggestions for using plays in adult literacy courses. Ideas are given for reading and writing plays, including developing a plot and characters, drafting a script, and editing and finalizing a script. Various methods of transcribing…

The Netherlands' secondary education system is highly differentiated, with four different school types for four scholastic ability levels. Final examinations must accommodate these four levels, and require a test-independent definition of the intended final ability levels as well as a sample-free evaluation of the range of ability levels at which…