Examined corrective feedback and learner response to feedback in four primary level immersion classes. Transcripts of classroom interactions from subject-matter and French language arts lessons were analyzed using a model comprising the various moves in an error treatment sequence. Findings reveal a strong tendency for teachers to use recasts…

Examines evidence offered to support the idea of a sensitive period for second language acquisition. Findings indicate that there is insufficient evidence to accept the claim that mastery of a second language is determined wholly, or even primarily, by maturational factors. (34 references) (Author/CK)

Investigates the effects of training for peer revision in college freshman English composition classes, focusing on students' ability to critique peer writing; quality of student writing; and students' attitudes toward peer revision and writing in general. Findings revealed an improvement in students' ability to critique peers and in their…

Examines the results of a nonce-verb test administered to adults and children in five hispanophone communities to determine their control of the inflectional morphology of the Spanish verbal system. Results indicate that adults have less access to natural productive verbal processes than do children. Notes that these results have implications for…

Requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act present school districts with a massive lesson in data-driven decision-making. Technology companies offer data-management tools that organize student information from state tests. Offers districts advice in choosing a technology provider. (MLF)

Analysis of data for the NICHD Study of Early Child Care revealed different prediction models for children (n=5,416). Early home environment, later behavior problems, and children's health problems contributed to identification by medical professionals, while early home environment and socioeconomic status contributed to identification based on…

Described is a means of logging data from remote sensors in data files and then transferring the data to a spreadsheet for processing. The presentation of the data in tabular or graphical form is discussed. An example using temperature data from a model house is provided. (Author/CW)

Describes a two-day forensic science course that is offered to eighth grade students enrolled in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Magnet Schools. Provides sample student activity sheets for the course. (Author/RT)

Toddlers in the lowest 10th percentile for lexical production were compared with age- and language-matched controls on measures of phonetic complexity, lexical development, and grammatical complexity. Results indicate an overlap between phonology, lexicon, and grammar and suggest the importance of true consonant production for lexical development.…

Presents activities taken from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Addendum Series, grades 5-8, involving data collection and chance. Students determine whether a game is fair based on the data collected and examine rule changes to ensure fairness. (MDH)

Compares the effects of two visual advance organizers on comprehension and retention of a written passage in a FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) Program: (1) "Video" and (2) "Pictures + Teacher Narrative". Investigators randomly assigned 62 students to 1 one of 2 conditions. "Video" was the more effective organizer of the two. (23…

English acts as a linguistic and symbolic resource for the countries using it. In the Swiss advertisements analyzed, English evokes connotations of professionalism and international appeal. The appropriation of English as a symbol of Swiss national identity allows the Swiss to lay claim to a social identity not available to them through their own…

Voters in five states approved referenda making English their official language. The vote is used to assess racial, ethnic, economic, political, and cultural hypotheses. The racial and cultural hypotheses are not validated; the ethnic and class ones are partially supported; and the political hypothesis offers the most compelling explanation. (26…

Reports on research to develop a descriptive framework capable of revealing relevant linguistic features of aphasic speech. Spontaneous speech samples collected from aphasic and normal speakers in dyadic conversational settings and from monologic picture descriptions are transcribed; lexical, phrasal and causal elements are coded and quantified.…

Documents the development of one of the most comprehensive efforts in occupational language training in the English-speaking world, Britain's Industrial Language Training (ILT) Service. The presentation describes widespread engagement by the authors and ILT staff concerned with cross-cultural differences as they affect job-related communication…