In two experiments, a probe technique required subjects to respond when the digit 7 appeared in one of five-letter positions in words or nonwords, inserted at the onset and 500 msec after letter and word processing. The focus of attention given to a letter has a smaller spatial extent. (Author/CM)

Discusses why mastering pronunciation in a second language is difficult and gives some errors common to students learning English as a second language. Describes some useful guidelines and techniques for pronunciation instruction. (EKN)

In four experiments, college students were presented with lists of either Armenian or English letters on a tachistoscope. The data indicate that extensive practice may be a necessary condition for capacity-free processing but may not be a necessary condition for involuntary processing. (Author/RD)

Discusses a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Initial Teaching Alphabet as a medium for remedial teaching of those who were behind in reading ability by five grades or more. (JOW)

Reaction time and accuracy do not always reflect the same perceptual processes; therefore, the convergence of reaction time with accuracy within the context of a specific information processing model should be demonstrated empirically rather than assumed a priori. (Author/PN)

Two strings of letters were presented. Subjects were instructed to indicate whether the second string contained the same elements as the first, regardless of position. Reaction time increased with the number of positions that the letters were displaced. Results indicate that order may be an important factor in retrieval from memory. (Author/BW)

Discusses the Greek contribution to the alphabet and the development of written communication. Contrasts oral and written traditions and the impact of each. (JMF)

Argues that it is important to consider just what the written language requires of learners so that educators may understand reading and writing disabilities and find appropriate methods of remediation. To do so, a theory of written language must be developed that regards the alphabetic systems as just one particular development among several that…

Described is an animated computer program designed to help the young child match lowercase and uppercase letters. Used was the Intecolor 8052 personal computer made by Intelligent Systems Corporation (ISC), but the program could also be written for the Radio Shack TRS-80, PET, Apple, Atari, and ISCs Compucolor II. (KC)

The manual alphabet was used as an adjunct to a linguistic reading system to achieve the following goals with primary grade learning disabled children: (1) ensure attention, (2) reinforce the learning of phonemes, (3) guide the student if he had difficulties, (4) introduce prefixes and suffixes, and (5) provide the child with an independent…

Investigates the effects of linguistic context, more particularly, semantic context in the form of an incomplete sentence, on the ability of observers to classify letter strings as words or nonwords. (Author/RK)

This article reviews studies done on alexia and describes experiments designed to distinguish qualitatively between pure alexia (marked by the absence of oral and written problems) and other forms of alexia. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Preschool children's early understanding of letters was explored. Five tasks were designed to elicit information about children's conceptualizations of letters in their own names, and the children's responses were analyzed descriptively to determine general patterns. (Author/VWL)

Suggests ways to translate ideas in the book, "The Story of Z," into data analysis activities in kindergarten and second-grade classrooms. (MKR)

The Christian Literacy Series includes a prereading program and four books of lessons with teachers' manuals. Despite the size of the text and the need for special tutor training, the series has a unique approach that includes Biblical narrative and scriptural content in lessons and is appropriate for adults, children, or family literacy. (SK)