This article describes several language-related projects undertaken by the European Community to promote multilinguality and improved cross-national communication. It also describes four systems of bilingual education operating in individual Member States (Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Catalan and Basque regions of Spain). (Contains 15 references.)…

Examines the cultural effects of globalization, a trend that threatens the eradication of some cultures and gives rise to skewed ethnic consciousness and narrow linguistic protectionism. National governments must promote pluralism. Learning a specialty language advances this cause and can provide a lively experience if the teacher adopts flexible…

Examines the phenomenon of language contact and recent trends in linguistic contact research, which focuses on language use, language users, and language spheres. Also discusses the role of linguistic and cultural conflicts in language contact situations. (13 references) (MDM)

Verbal interactions in 15 Dutch classes with immigrant children were audiotaped during 5 types of activity: pupil-centered conversation, instructional exchange, children's group, small-group-with-teacher, and special second-language group. Several input and production features were analyzed. (57 references) (Author/LB)

Debates about language and literacy in Uganda were renewed with publication in 1992 of a government white paper. Most likely this paper will conclude that the English language will continue to command the highest profile at the national level, with the local languages struggling, with diverse levels of success, to follow suit. (Contains 13…

Language choice (LC) for literacy must consider mother tongue, language of first sight, local lingua francas, and any readily accessible world language. Common but false assumptions regarding LC are noted: multilingualism as a barrier to development, the necessity of a world language, and the permanance of language patterns. (Contains four…

Explores the economic aspects of language in a highly complex multilingual environment, the Asian Pacific. Communication in this region has intensified as the countries concerned have gained economic strength and grown closer together. (48 References) (JL)

Although Kiswahili has been successfully promoted as the medium of primary and adult education in Tanzania, its position in secondary and tertiary levels is still precarious. Suggests that Kiswahili become the language of instruction in secondary schools, with English taught as a foreign language. (DMM)

Describes the institution of Bahasa Indonesia as the state language of Indonesia. Discusses the use of Indonesian, 400+ vernaculars, and foreign languages in the country; the implementation of state language policy through formal and nonformal language education; and the rise of bilingualism in Indonesia. (DMM)

Suggests the possibility of mapping each person's linguistic identity in two dimensions: the number of languages spoken and the situation-specific variants of each language. Discusses the academic disadvantages associated with particular socioeconomic variants, particularly low-class speech/accents. Advocates greater tolerance of variation and…

Examines how second-language educators label second-language students and argues that in the process of labeling learners, educators may stigmatize, overgeneralize, and make inaccurate predictions about these learners. Argues that second-language learners should be allowed to name themselves and thus construct their own identities. (23 references)…

Uses data from a study of 13 multicultural, multilingual schools, each implementing one of 6 externally developed reform designs, to examine the implementation process from an interactive perspective. Concludes that, although schools and design team actions were influential, state and school district forces were more important in determining…

Investigated the spelling development of 60 third and fourth graders from a variety of linguistic backgrounds and compared the spelling development of students from five language groups. Students from the different backgrounds had remarkably similar spelling development. There were differences in spelling development of English-speaking students…

Argues that in Europe over several centuries, the relationship between democracy and language policy in multilingual countries has been complex, noting that Catalan has thrived in democratic periods where devolution has advanced, and the causes of most problems facing Catalan are nonlinguistic. The paper examines language and democracy, language…

Discussion of the multilingual mind's organization proposes the Least Expansion Hypothesis, that knowledge of any language is organized in the same cognitive manner. A slot is created for knowledge of each level of language, storing knowledge of all languages pertaining to that level. A new knowledge unit is entered only when differing…