Examines the effects of training Spanish-speaking parents in read-aloud techniques on the Spanish vocabulary development of their children aged five and six. Although not statistically significant, the results seem to favor the group that received training for five weeks versus a control group. The training increased parental involvement and had…

This methodology for teaching basic meal preparation skills to students with mental retardation uses convenience foods and involves learning meal preparation reading vocabulary and common procedures. Instructional techniques include sight word development, use of rebus symbols, and graduated prompts (verbal, modeling, or physical guidance). A list…

Four French language classroom activities are described: an exercise juxtaposing the imperfect and present perfect tenses; exploration of ways of perceiving and describing one's environment; study of the language use and style of a radio program moderator; and two proposed contexts (an international conference and a business) for classroom…

Examines vocabulary growth and development, looking at conventional vocabulary instruction and its outcomes. Evidence that word list drills do not promote vocabulary growth effectively is presented, and suggestions are given for fostering increased vocabulary. Promoting wide reading is advocated as the best approach. (SLD)

Offers research/theory-based ideas for teaching reading; e.g., adopt a cognitive-based philosophy; use transfer-oriented models; use process-oriented assessment; reconceptualize vocabulary development; use and train students in research-validated learning strategies; promote strategy control/regulation; use high-utility strategies for immediate…

Discusses instructional uses for the "Carmen Sandiego" software series to encourage interest in geography. Suggests "Carmen" be incorporated into the curriculum by teacher-directed grouping that adds teacher instruction into cooperative and competitive arenas, curriculum integration linking diverse specialties, and isolated…

Two studies investigated the effects of modified interaction on comprehension and vocabulary acquisition among Japanese high school students learning English as a Second Language. The studies found that interactionally modified input resulted in better comprehension and the acquisition of more new words than premodified input. (MDM)

Combined with a computer, videodisks of foreign films are helping second-language students at the University of Pennsylvania learn two neglected skills, listening and looking. The combination of attractive visual and linguistic information and fast pace stimulates vocabulary acquisition. The program has prepared 20 interactive videodiscs in 6…

Four French language instructional activities are described, including an exercise in use of the subjunctive mode, based on an advertisement; a simulation for use in business French; an examination of intonation and meaning in conversation; and an exercise in forming questions. (MSE)

Presents suggestions on creative reading/writing assignments using the newspaper, "outpatient" help for high school readers, verbalizing character roles in novels, monitoring comprehension strategies, cooperative learning to motivate reluctant readers, reading aloud to college students, integrating study and business curricula for a city…

Twenty-seven toddlers identified as showing specific expressive language delay (ELD) were studied and followed through the preschool period. Findings indicated that home-based intervention accelerated vocabulary skills, but did not decrease the likelihood of later phonological problems. ELD was also seen as a self-correcting condition. (PB)

Four ideas for French language instruction are described, including an exercise on modals, an activity focusing on the use of noises for expression, a listening comprehension exercise, and a lesson on humorous possibilities in language using material from the theater of the absurd. (MSE)

A review of research identified features characteristic of effective reading programs, especially explicit phonics instruction integrated with vocabulary of student reading materials. Analysis of several commercially published first-grade basal reading programs found significant discrepancies between strategies supported by the literature and the…

Presents a lexical computer-assisted-language-learning tool for Japanese that is designed to develop vocabulary, "kanji," and verb conjugation knowledge. (Author/JL)

A study evaluated the effects of supplemental reading instruction for 256 students in kindergarten through Grade 3 (158 Hispanic). Children who received the supplemental reading instruction performed significantly better on measures of word attack, word identification, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension after 15 to 16…