Observed six children of settled migrants on their first day in nursery school and again 12 weeks later, analyzing changes in their time-on-task. Found that the number of activities selected did not generally increase, but the time spent on sustained activities did, with this time period being significantly longer than those recorded in previous…

Analyses of how African communities use language show that indigenous languages coexist with metropolitan languages in complex configurations of speech practices. Argues that these practices should suggest a rethinking of the purpose, function, and methodology of teaching languages in developing African contexts, building on the ways that local…

Discusses the style repertoire in the context of Hindi literature, the functions of code mixing varieties in Hindi literary works, and the implications for sociolinguistics of such investigations from linguistic and stylistic perspectives. Hindi poetry from the last three decades is examined to determine the effects of language mixing involving…

Examines a specific type of code switching that occurs when bilingual peers make relevant their dual and simultaneous membership in the two groups symbolized by the two linguistic varieties involved in the switching pattern. Structural constraints and switching are discussed across code-switching types. (31 references) (Author/OD)

During the 1980s, the number of home speakers of non-English languages (HSNEL) increased much more than monolinqual English speakers. School-age HSNEL are a growing proportion of the total school-age population. Advocates for language minorities should inform themselves on the meaning, limitations, and implications of available information.…

Overviews developments shaping the current environment of language teaching and learning in Australia, with particular attention to developments in New South Wales, covering such issues as educational organization and structure; the rise in global lifestyles and cultural nationalism; multiculturalism; and the roles of schools, communities, outside…

The role of the French language in the European Community, whose membership increasingly includes countries where French is not prominent, is examined. The distinction between official language and the lingua franca of work is noted, and strategies for ensuring the future of French in a multilingual global community are considered. (MSE)

The components of language rights for social development are enumerated and discussed, listed under such rubrics as national language development, languages of instruction, access to a Language of Wider Communication, bilingual schooling, and the cultivation of the national languages. Examples from various countries are cited. (Contains 26…

Describes work at the National University of Singapore on the Internet in expanding a simulation game used in supporting a course in decision technology. Topics include decision support systems, multilingual support for cross-cultural decision studies, process support in a World Wide Web-enhanced multiuser domain (MUD) learning environment, and…

An exploratory study used Los Angeles' Korean/English Bilingual Immersion Project (KEBIP) to examine effects of two-way immersion on ethnic identification of third-language speakers who received no first-language support from teachers. KEBIP participants were compared with ethnically matched students from other classrooms. Third-language students…

Describes and analyzes some of the literacy events and practices taking place in selected multilingual early childhood classrooms in Cape Town, South Africa. Discusses the views and understanding teachers hold about reading and writing in early childhood, and the methods used for teaching children from different language and sociocultural…

Traces historical, linguistic, and educational contexts for the Oakland School Board resolution. Suggests the resolution is a sensible extension of the linguistic and cultural history of the African-American community, a reasonable implementation of research and theory, and an intrinsic desire of parents to have their children's teachers acquire…

Examines South Africa's 11-official-languages policy, with a focus on the current debate on mother tongue education versus education in a foreign language--English or Afrikaans. It is argued that for the new education policy to achieve its intended objective--to promote mother tongue education--then mother tongue education must be cleansed of the…

Focuses on attitudes and competencies of eighth grade native Rumansch speakers in Samedan, Switzerland. Argues that Samedan pupils--with their bi- or plurilingul backgrounds, a Romance language as a main school language, and the geographical proximity of Italian--have more positive attitudes toward French and better competencies than monolingual…

This compact and well-written book considers multiple language use, some of its quantitative aspects, how people feel about multiple languages, and what society should or might do about multiple language problems. A list of comments, criticisms, and suggestions for revision is included with this largely favorable review. (SLD)