Eighty college students mentally rotated 3-D shapes while maintaining a concurrent verbal or spatial memory load to investigate how sex, native language, and college major relate to the cognitive strategies employed during mental rotation (MR). Males were significantly better than females at MR, whereas native language was not related to MR…

Caregivers of 608 (331 boys and 277 girls) children in Shanghai, China reported on their children's language development and on the language teaching practices used in the home. The children were between 24 and 47 months old. The relation of age-corrected language level to paternal education, child gender, and teaching practice use was examined.…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of task-based writing instruction, a communicative language-teaching method, on second language acquisition and differentiation of instruction for English language learners during the independent work time instructional component of the Open Court Reading program. Through student-teacher…

Language Development: Understanding Language Diversity in the Classroom offers comprehensive coverage of the language development process for pre- and in-service teachers while emphasizing the factors that further academic success in the classroom, including literacy skills, phonological awareness, and narrative. With chapters written by respected…

Differences in the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky concerning the relationship between thought and language are briefly described. Basically, Piaget's position is summarized as follows: the child's use of language is determined by the developmental level of his or her cognitive structures. Vygotsky's position is also summarized: operative thought…

Describes a developmental study of semantic structure. (JMB)

This ERIC Digest presents an overview of the process and mechanics of language development, along with implications for practice. Sections of the discussion focus on: (1) when and how language is learned; (2) oral language components; and (3) nurturing language development. It is argued that teachers can help sustain natural language development…

The theory that language acquisition is guided and constrained by inborn linguistic knowledge is assessed. Specifically, the "no negative evidence" view, the belief that linguistic theory should be restricted in such a way that the grammars it allows can be learned by children on the basis of positive evidence only, is explored. Child language…

The acquisition order of four Japanese verbs for the act of clothing was investigated. Each of the verbs investigated corresponds to the act of clothing different body parts. There are two theories for the prediction of acquisition order: the checklist and the prototype theories of word meaning. According to the checklist view, word meanings…

A parent training program used at the Humboldt State University Speech and Hearing Center helps parents of language impaired children learn to incorporate language facilitation techniques into their daily interaction with their children. The approach used is the INREAL model which was designed to improve the language and related learning skills of…

Rhythmic movement in practice (RMP) is an alternative approach for teaching communication skills to severely-profoundly multiply handicapped children. It integrates a motoric program (rhythmic motions) and experience with objects (cues for signals, materials, and equipment used) and utilizes the principles of coactive movement (teacher-child…

A discussion of education in New Hebrides, where many different languages are spoken. (HB)

A portion of the author's doctoral dissertation completed at Stanford University.

Little or no impact on educational systems for the deaf have been realized as a result of the study of the deaf within a Piagetian framework. The reasons for this are examined, and it is concluded that some important educational implications do exist. These implications are explored with a particular emphasis placed on the issue of language and…

Five strategies frequently observed in the spelling of kindergarteners, first- and second-graders are described. (CM)