Questions the current thesis that people from "collectivist" cultures are less likely to make character inferences based on physical attractiveness. Presents the results of a study that revealed Taiwanese undergraduates assigning positive character attributes to people based on their physical attractiveness. Discusses related literature…

Focuses on the importance of developing the native language (L1), i.e., "Bahasa Melayu," as a firm foundation for the learning of a second language (L2) in Brunei and analyzes problems facing learners of "Bahasa Melayu" and English in Brunei classrooms. Saravanan's response focuses on the structure of the Brunesian bilingual…

Examines the research needs relative to the use of foreign languages in tourism activities in Australia and New Zealand. Findings indicate a lack of precise information on the ways in which the tourism industry in these countries provides appropriate language assistance to non-English speaking inbound visitors. Suggestions for future research are…

Shows that underlying first language (L1) and second language (L2) lexical similarities between typologically unrelated languages can benefit L2 vocabulary learning. The article's comparison of the use of motion verbs in English by Chinese- and Japanese-speaking learners indicates an advantage for Chinese speakers, whose L1 lexicalizes motion in a…

Exploration of the views of 24 Chinese teachers of English on the effectiveness of "western" language-teaching methods revealed their beliefs that the communicative approach was applicable to students planning to visit an English-speaking country. Suggestions are presented for helping teachers overcome sociolinguistic limitations in…

Asserts that decisions regarding textbook content China are political and determined by the central government. Reports on a study of 15 elementary and secondary geography textbooks published between 1948 and 1991. Finds that the image of the United States portrayed in these books has changed dramatically. (CFR)

Investigates the influence of ethnic cultural background and multicultural interaction for 120 males drawn from Aboriginal, Anglo-Saxon, Chinese, and Lebanese cultural communities in Australia. Responses to the Work Cognitions Questionnaire reveal differences in the structure of achievement goals and work values for the 4 groups of 30 subjects…

In a sample of 150 individuals equally divided among Chinese, Hispanics, and Whites, it was found that the Chinese were more tolerant of parental conduct than were Hispanics and Whites. Chinese were less likely to ask for investigation by protective agencies in potential cases of child abuse and neglect. (Author/BB)

Describes how a Chinese boy's entry into American language and culture was supported by a second-grade classroom that provided frequent opportunities for him to use oral and written language in personally meaningful ways. Discusses use of multiple discourses, personal recognition, and time and choice. Concludes that freedom, purpose, and support…

Evaluated a project between an elementary school and state university in which international parents from the community were trained as instructors of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language and culture, following up on instruction provided by native-speaking graduate students. Interviews and observations indicated that students were very positive…

Investigates factors influencing language-switching behavior in the thinking processes of a bilingual person engaged in second-language writing, based on review of literature and a case study in which an individual performs three tasks using think-aloud protocols: text composition in English (second language); written translation from Chinese…

Investigated the effects of writing systems on Chinese subjects' decoding strategies in both Chinese and English. Results suggest that both writing systems and learning environment are significant factors to subjects' application of graphic, phonological, or semantic strategies in decoding Chinese and English words. (Author/VWL)

This article introduces diverse language and dialects of the Asian Pacific and describes their specific phonetic features. It also delineates the speech characteristics of the English spoken by those individuals whose English has been influenced by their local or native tongue. Clinical challenges in transcription and beyond are discussed.…

This paper discusses the concept of "cultural cross-currents," their implicit nature and the potential they have to effect second language literacy learning, teaching and curriculum reform in Hong Kong primary classrooms. Despite the substantive implications for learning, the exploration of cultural influences upon teacher and student…

This study investigated cross-language and writing system relationship in biliteracy acquisition of children learning to read two different writing systems--Chinese and English. Forty-six Mandarin-speaking children were tested for their first language (Chinese-L1) and second language (English-L2) reading skills. Comparable experiments in Chinese…