This collection of articles includes: "Implementing Discourse Analysis for Intermediate and Advanced Language Learners" (Maria Palmira Massi); "A Comparison of Front-Page News in Japanese and British Quality Press Newspapers: Cultural Differences Reflected in the Press" (Christopher Bond); "Have You Ever Heard of Ogino…

This guide to reading instruction for elementary and middle school students with learning difficulties covers a wide variety of practical instructional strategies founded in research and proven effective in classrooms. An introductory chapter notes the growing national emphasis on reading skills, especially research-based reading programs and the…

Although an extensive body of literature exists on the impact of Head Start, very few studies have used an experimental design with random assignment, a key methodological component needed to increase the weight of evaluation findings. This study used a randomized design with a wide range of outcomes related to school readiness to assess the…

Focusing on eliminating the disparity of literacy between low income, ethnically or culturally diverse populations and their more advantaged counterparts, this paper describes policies and procedures on how to ensure that all children in Washington State schools attain the highest levels of literacy possible. After some background information, the…

This document provides a brief overview of a PowerPoint presentation (with accompanying slides) where the development of a detailed, online subject-specific glossary is discussed. The pedagogical justification for the creation and use of a glossary is presented. It is asserted that a subject-specific glossary has many advantages and useful…

Language for success in curricular and extracurricular contexts shows a range and complexity beyond the scope of most secondary school ESL programs in Canadian schools. The subject-specific language structure, rhetoric, and vocabulary for secondary level geography, history, and science are used as examples. (MSE)

The 50 most frequently occurring words found in primary level reading materials were taught to kindergarten pupils using three different teaching methods. Neither methodology nor frequency of occurrence affected the relative learning difficulty of sight words. The study is the second investigation in a series. (SB)

Argues that adult learners develop strategies to suit their own learning styles. Points out that the goal of communicative language programs is communicative competence, that is, second-language learners are expected to acquire pragmatic, functional language by using it in meaningful and unrehearsed ways. (nine references) (Author/CK)

Reports a study in a Chinese context of second language (L2) learner variables' relationship to English achievement. Findings reveal that six variables had direct effects on achievement, three of which existed previously, i.e., sex, and primary language and L2 proficiency; and three that were formed by clusters of strategies relating to vocabulary…

Presents a replication of experiments which found that input practice is better than output practice for comprehension skills, and no worse than output practice for production skills in a second language (Spanish). Findings reveal that these patterns are obscured when the testing time and the morphosyntactic nature of the structure in question…

International students have identified problems in the college classroom that hinder their learning, including listening difficulties, lack of understanding of differences in cultural background, poor oral communication skills, insufficient vocabulary, and poor writing skills. The students suggest both general and specific ways in which professors…

Reviews the literature on the characteristics of the good language learner and language teacher, showing those traits contributing to effective language learning as well as literature outlining practices and activities contributing to the development of a good language teacher. Includes an activity performance checklist. (14 references) (Author/CK)

Describes preservice teachers' selection and use of specific vocabulary and comprehension teaching strategies for a microteaching session in a field-based practicum attached to a required content area literacy course. Data from interviews showed that preservice teachers were clear on the sociocultural context of their practicum settings and the…

This article examines, in particular, how South African teachers, working in situations where English is a second language, approach the teaching of a content lesson in geography. (23 references) (Author/CK)

Describes the use of a questionnaire on ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) students' methods of vocabulary learning as a springboard for class discussion of helpful strategies suggested in the literature. Background for the activity is described, procedures and results are outlined, and suggestions for using a similar questionnaire in other ESL…