This study is an attempt to identify social interactions which fit into a Piagetian model for cognitive change, and specifically to examine the degree to which the frequency of those interactions predicts the rate of cognitive development. The subjects were 74 elementary school children enrolled in 19 K-4 classrooms. These children were in the…

The child brings to the classroom a socially conditioned way of behaving, both verbal and nonverbal, which reflects both the maturational process and sociocultural conditioning, and a socially conditioned view of what the norms of the dominant society are and what that society expects of him or her. The school attempts to transmit the cultural…

The teaching of English as a second language (ESL) to adults and students in the United Kingdom is examined with respect to teacher training program design. Articles are devoted to ESL teacher training programs at the University of Edinburgh, the University College of North Wales at Bangor, the University of Lancaster, and the University of…

This book consists of ten papers presented at the 1976 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Three major trends in foreign language instruction were identified as themes for the conference: (1) the growing emphasis on developing communication skills in the language learning experience; (2) the concern for the individual…

Development of theories concerning social identity and language learning is explored, and ways in which English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers can support students in this process are discussed. During the 1980s and 1990s, emphasis in research on language learning shifted to its social context. Theorists have begun to find the focus on…

This paper describes the use of folktales in the classroom, noting the instructional benefits, challenges and potential problems, and techniques for presenting and expanding on the stories. Of nine folktales told during the school year, five are told in English and four in Spanish, and most are closely tied to the social studies curriculum. Four…

This book attempts to engage theoretical questions of ethnicity, ideology, and identity as they are lived out by Aymara students in a small teachers' college in rural Bolivia. A year of fieldwork at the Escuela Normal Rural "Kollasuyo" focused on the experiences of Aymara students during their intensive training to become rural teachers,…

A 1996-97 survey of 1,534 elementary and 1,650 secondary schools across the United States, both public and private, investigated current patterns in foreign language enrollment, languages and programs offered, curriculum design and content, teaching methods, teacher qualifications and training, and response to national reform issues. The study was…

This study sought to address concerns that high levels of literacy in both English and local languages are not being attained by children in U.S.-affiliated Pacific entities served by Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL). The study was designed to answer the following question: Do classroom language use and instructional practices…

The focus of this practitioner brief is: What happens when students identify the skill areas they feel need the most work and then are given class time, resources, and strategies to work in these areas? This learning strategy was tried by one teacher of adult English as a Second Language (ESL) because the students in his class were either too far…

Presents activities, recommendations, and guidelines for creating a nonsexist social studies curriculum. Recommends using nonsexist language, considering the influence of gender bias, examining the contribution of women, and modeling nonsexist behavior. Includes several lists of instructional materials and resources. (MJP)

This study explored six dimensions of classroom environment in high school writing classes that used different instructional strategies (communicative instruction within a technological environment and traditional instruction). Surveys of student perceptions indicated that each dimension contributed unique information regarding differences, or…

Investigates how students' ethnic backgrounds relate to their views of instructional communication processes. Assesses the structural relationships among teacher immediacy, course utility, and teaching effectiveness for Anglo-American, Latino, African-American, and Asian-American students at the middle and end of a 10-week term. (SR)

The purpose of this study was to (a) develop an analytical framework that represents classroom talk and questioning in science, (b) find out how teachers use questioning to engage their students in thinking about conceptual content that enables the construction of knowledge, and (c) identify the various forms of feedback provided by teachers in…

Cognition, mind, counseling psychology, lesson plans, learning styles, and Vygotsky are just a few of the many subjects discussed in this exciting work. Educators, students, counselors, parents, and others will find new understanding as they read and browse. How does the immigrant experience affect student outcomes? What are the effects of poverty…