Describes the process for developing a bilingual curriculum for Guatemala's four largest Mayan language groups. The process took into account the Mayans' maintenance of a distinct linguistic and cultural identity. The results of this experimental curriculum and the current direction of bilingual education in Guatemala are discussed. (Author/CB)

An interview with Alan Decaux of the Academie Francaise focuses on his campaign for each European to know two languages in addition to the mother tongue, using early foreign language education to attain this goal. (MSE)

Draws on a postculturalist theory of language in order to challenge the hegemony of communicative competence as a formulation of principles on which to base the teaching of English internationally. The current movement in South Africa for People's English is examined. (36 references). (Author/VWL)

Advice on international public relations for colleges and universities includes focusing efforts on one country or region at a time; researching the market and media outlets; involving faculty and administrators; using the local language; careful budgeting; providing photographs and copy; focusing story ideas; considering politics; and considering…

Describes the use of English in the media in Japan, focusing on the role and history of English-language newspapers, radio, and television programs, as well as the proliferation of English-language films shown in Japanese cinemas. Discusses the implications of English in the Japanese media. (20 references) (MDM)

Provides an overview of the position of English on the island of Mauritius, where the dominant language of the home is a French-based Creole but the language of government and schooling is English. Also discusses English instruction on Mauritius, noting that language instruction on the island has been traditionally structuralist rather than…

Discusses the overall role of languages in Europe, focusing on the relevance of second language instruction to all pupils, multilingualism, the role of English, minority languages, languages and culture, language teaching methodologies, nationalism and internationalism, and the national curriculum for modern foreign languages in England and Wales.…

A study of 1,586 francophone students in northern Ontario (Canada) found 3 attitudes (either believing French unimportant, believing English practically dominant, or believing their French inadequate) lead students to continue postsecondary education in English. Believing French pleasurable was found to be positively related to continuing…

The second part of a study on the defense of the French language (see Part I in the Winter 1992 issue) presents historical overview of the Quebec government effort of renewing, normalizing, and promoting the French language in that province. The controversial aspects and effects of Law 101 are examined. (43 references) (LET)

Describes how Mexican-American language-minority students construct biology concept meanings based on extant linguistic skills. Provides an instructional activity that engages students in constructing meanings through mediational means. Contains 35 references. (DDR)

Offers a critique of American schools to provide helpful insight to teachers, researchers, and reformers of national systems who struggle with deeply rooted cultural divisions. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

Response to an article on multiculturalism and status of community languages in Australia finds three areas in which the author's optimism appears not to be justified: argument that placing economic value on languages automatically works in favor of linguistic minorities; assumption that minority languages all have similar economic value; and…

An African American teacher of English discusses her own experience with black English as a barrier to academic success, her efforts to assure that her own students speak standard English and to understand why many teachers do not stress this and the need to understand why many African American students do not use standard English despite its…

Discusses problems in the classification of ethnic groups by language, focusing on the case of a marginal Chinese group from northeast Vietnam and the shifting of ethnic identity according to geographic location. Influences of colonialism and nationalist feeling in this dilemma are examined. (MSE)

Summarizes some feminist critiques of science which leads to an investigation of the role that language plays within science. Also explores the ramifications of gendered discourse for the teaching of science and mathematics. Contains 40 references. (Author/PVD)