Examines the role of interactional context in exchanges between teachers and learners in English-as-a-Second-Language classrooms. Teacher-learner exchanges were categorized as being primarily focused on content, communication, management, or explicit language. Suggests that the importance of the interactional context should not be underestimated…

Focuses on the best methods and activities for promoting competence in the reading of a foreign language, especially French. The article maintains that French language teaching has a pioneer role in advancing second-language reading strategies and suggests activities that can supplement instruction in this field. (Author/CK)

Explores the implications of the divergence in the language of law, predominantly English, and the language of court proceedings, English and Filipino, for meeting the current social demands of Philippine society and for the future of the communication situation there. An interim solution to the dangers of the miscarriage of justice would be to…

Notes that in teacher education a movement exists to ensure that teaching methods are relevant to trainees' teaching contexts. Examines the effects that this context-sensitive approach will have on the teacher-educator's role and on attempts to ensure that teacher education programs encourage longer-term productive change. (28 references)…

Examines the purpose of the methodology course for inservice teacher training. After considering the difficulties arising when trainees' and trainers' goals differ, the article broadens its focus to cover a more general training context and presents a model allowing trainers who recommend a learner-centered approach to put their ideas into…

Discusses the results of presenting an animated movie conveying the theme of preserving the natural environment to non-English-speaking Mexican children in English-as-a-Second-Language classes as a stimulus for concentrating on English comprehension. Findings indicate that 42% of the students reviewed showed English comprehension and 30% described…

Interlinks crucial cultural themes emerging from preceding chapters, highlighting the contextual constraints in adolescents' use of free time. Draws parallels across the nations discussed on issues related to how school molds leisure time, the balance of passive versus active leisure, timing of leisure pursuits, and the cumulative effect of…

Details evaluation of the West Virginia site of a federally-funded program to maintain early achievement gains viewed as crucial in alleviating poverty-linked social distress. Notes that the Post-Head Start Transition evaluation showed no achievement gains. Asserts that findings provide no support for a general policy of early and continuing…

Fast mapping of novel words for objects was compared in 48 children/adolescents with Down syndrome and 48 mental-age matched children. The groups did not differ in their ability to infer a connection between the novel word and referent, comprehend the novel word after a single exposure, and produce the novel word correctly. (Author/JDD)

This article takes a functional approach to relationships between make-believe play and language development. It is argued that play and early literacy share similarities of function and social context, and therefore both prepare children for similar symbol-using processes. Transformation from oral language to literacy and implications for…

Investigates how readers use schemata and purpose in learning vocabulary from context. Examines Sternberg's model of verbal comprehension acquisition as well as the interaction among vocabulary acquisition and components of the reading process. Finds the effects of comprehension ability and purpose are significant, while the effect of schemata is…

This study compares responses of four- to seven-year-old children (n=10) with articulatory disorders under the two-picture elicitation procedure for compound words and a single-picture elicitation procedure. Results indicate that type of elicitation stimulus is a factor for consideration in assessing contextual influences. Findings parallel…

The article offers a contextual and functional approach to the development of visual skills in students with concomitant visual and multiple disabilities. A decision-making strategy is provided to aid the vision specialist in maximizing effective intervention. A case study illustrates the decision-making steps. (Author/DB)

Explores the influences of context upon the writing of 18-year-olds in 6 subject areas in a secondary school in London, England. Examines how students and teachers negotiate compromises between using writing to understand discipline-specific concepts and using writing to pass examinations. (KEH)

Basic premise informs the previous two articles in this same "International Journal of Educational Reform" issue: education involves knowledge and power; the social construction of literacy cannot be understood outside the political realm. Minority communities must challenge compulsory schooling rituals that mystify rather than liberate and…