Based on the questions of second language teachers concerning classroom practice, generated by survey, research on aspects of second language teaching and learning was reviewed and is summarized here. In each case, a question or questions are posed and a brief discussion follows, in layman's language and based on relevant research, with a brief…

This guide describes activities used by language teachers in developing students' oral communication skills. Activities are presented for instruction in English as a Second Language as well as other second languages. Ideas are organized in 4 parts, with 14 subsections: fluency (conversation, fluency and interaction, group work, dialogues and role…

Developed by the ABCs of Construction National Workplace Literacy Project, these curriculum materials for the occupational area of millwright contain three lessons that deal with getting meaning from context. Each lesson consists of an objective, instruction, and exercises. Lesson 1 contains seven exercises, Lesson 2 has four, and Lesson 3 has…

Developed by the ABCs of Construction National Workplace Literacy Project, these curriculum materials for the occupational area of pipefitter contain two lessons that deal with getting meaning from context. Each lesson consists of an objective, instruction, and exercises. Lesson 1 contains 11 exercises, and lesson 2 has 12. The objective of lesson…

This report is an evaluation of an adult workplace literacy and English-as-a-Second-Language program for Napa Valley (California) vineyard workers of limited English proficiency. Many of the classes were held at the worksite. The first section of the report details the project's stated objectives and measures of accomplishment, anecdotal success…

A study investigated how students of English as a second language (ESL) improved their use of learning strategies through awareness-raising in group interviews and informal training. Subjects were 68 Taiwanese university students in two freshman English classes. Subjects responded to an English learning strategy questionnaire in the beginning and…

These instructional materials are designed for presenting home ownership information to learners of English as a Second Language (ESL). Eleven lessons are organized into four units addressing the process of ownership, including: deciding to buy a home (determining that current living quarters are too small, getting money to buy a home, credit…

This guide is designed for language teachers training Peace Corps volunteers in Nyanja for service in Zambia, and focuses on daily communication skills in that context. It consists of a language "survival kit" of useful phrases and vocabulary, conjugation of the verb "to be," the Zambia national anthem, extensive notes on verb…

This guide is designed for Singhalese language training of Peace Corps workers in Sri Lanka, and reflects daily communication needs in that context. It consists of: a list of selected language topics and related language competencies; lesson plans for each topic; culture notes for each topic; and a series of reproducible masters for handouts on a…

The Washington State Core Competencies Project is designed to implement competency-based adult education in the state's 38 adult basic education programs. A model curriculum was developed and field-tested over several years. The resulting curriculum outline of core competencies for English as a Second Language, level 2, is presented here. The…

The Washington State Core Competencies Project is designed to implement competency-based adult education in the state's 38 adult basic education programs. A model curriculum was developed and field-tested over several years. The resulting curriculum outline of core competencies for English as a Second Language, level 3, is presented here. The…

This study investigated the effect of hypermedia on enhancing vocabulary learning among non-native English speakers. Participants were 63 volunteer, international graduate students, enrolled in an Intensive English Program, English as a Foreign Language, or graduate program at a mid-Atlantic university. Variables measured included vocabulary…

This study compared Chinese-American and Caucasian-American children and families in order to better understand which cultural and family characteristics, parent beliefs, and parent practices operate at the early childhood level to produce the more uniform high level of math achievement among Asian-American children. Forty second-generation…

This textbook is designed for use by Peace Corps volunteers learning Turkmen in preparation for serving in Turkmenistan. It takes a competency-based approach to language learning, focusing on specific tasks the learner will need to accomplish through language. Some competencies are related to work tasks and others to survival needs or social…

Classroom techniques for teaching vocational English as a Second Language to hotel housekeepers are offered. The materials consist of a list of specific performance outcomes (use of content language to make verb/object combinations of hotel housekeeping tasks, use of functional language to create communication strategies for negotiation and…