The predictive ability of five characteristics of elementary school teachers on curriculum implementation was studied. The variables were dogmatism, knowledge, seniority, attitudes, and locus of control. Dogmatism was the best predictor; attitude was the poorest. Locus of control, as hypothesized, was related to the attribution of success or…

Advocates an approach to second language learning based on Krashen's "Implicit Learning" model. Emphasizes comprehension training in preparation for productive skills learning, as a stress-free, highly motivating instructional strategy. Discusses results obtained with this approach in a variety of foreign languages at several schools across the…

Subtests on grammar, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and translation were developed for screening the English as a second language abilities of students applying to universities outside the U.S. Total test scores, writing ability, and grade point average were used as criteria for evaluating each subtest's validity. (GSK)

Describes how to set up a science project that concentrates on the language arts skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing as a means of introducing students to the reading and study skills they will need in their content area subjects. (FL)

Describes a program of French for engineering students that makes extensive use of audiovisual laboratory equipment and cultural materials. (AM)

This paper develops a theory of listening in democratic dialogs inspired by the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer and John Dewey. The theory requires the acknowledgement of a prominent role for risking and reconstructing social habits in open dialogs across gender, racial, and ethnic differences. (SM)

Whether text comprehension strategies could be taught to children with poor decoding and reading skills was studied with 428 fourth graders (poor readers) and 167 students from schools for the learning disabled. Clear benefits of training were apparent at posttesting, but maintenance test performance did not show prolonged benefits, suggesting a…

Addresses the challenge of using the target language as the medium of instruction to teach a second language to secondary learners. The article examines teachers' concerns regarding teaching in the target language and suggests practical teaching strategies, including instructing students to listen closely, to watch for visual cues, to watch each…

Examines the effectiveness of graphics as lecture comprehension supports for low-proficiency English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) listeners. The study compared the performance of Asian students in Canada listening to an audiotape while viewing an organizational graphic with that of a control group. Findings indicate that the graphics enhanced…

Describes how computer software captures and makes available for auditory observation and learning the variety of sound shapes that words take on in fast speech. A case study illustrates a teaching procedure that can aid learners' perception and comprehension of fast speech in a foreign language and calls for electronic publication of standard…

A teacher/storyteller recommends story creation by students to encourage creativity and pleasure in developing language skills. Suggested exercises include combining random nouns (e.g., "le fer et le bois") and creating a proverb about them, creating a story using names of consumer products, and developing a story using only body-language idioms…

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) provided descriptive data on the speech and language of 25-month-olds. Findings indicated great range in the stage of expressive language development achieved. Girls showed more advanced skills than boys. A clear pattern was identified in use of sound classes. Child verbal comprehension…

Presents suggestions for composition teachers who have ESL students and no formal training in teaching English as a second language. Provides 25-item bibliography on curriculum design, current papers, cultural aspects of writing, and reading. (RAE)

Insists that the narrowed focus of cultural literacy makes application possible and outlines three strategies that have proved successful in conveying business-cultural literacy to students: reading (including the keeping of reading journals), interviewing, and listening to guest speakers from the business world. (NH)

A study compared the changes in students with moderate mental retardation in two school settings (segregated and semi-integrated) in intellectual development, adaptive behavior, receptive language, and academic achievement. While both groups gained in some areas, greater gains were found in the semi-integrated population. (MSE)