Presents a new model to account for lecturing in a second language. The model is based on extensive ethnographic research conducted over the past 10 years at a university in Hong Kong, and in particular of an ethnographic case study of engineering students. (Author/VWL)

Describes the development of an instrument for assessing the writing development of students in an English-medium university in Japan. Discusses the process of selecting a language proficiency framework suitable for the 4-year degree. The Canadian language Benchmarks were chosen and subsequently formed the basis for the development of the rating…

Explores questions related to who educational policymakers are in the United States, the policies that they make, and the implications of these policies for foreign languages. Six commentaries are provided in response to the topic. (Author/VWL)

Discusses how increasing access to storybooks and involving teachers and parents in home-school reading and writing partnerships has proved an effective strategy for promoting English literacy in Ghana. (Author/VWL)

The tips discussed here center around favor asking and English as a Second Language, a collaborative writing activity, e-mail assignments nd online correction, and facilitating full-time employment in TESOL (Author/VWL)

Responds to Major's (1996) and Ioup's (1996) criticism of this author's theory of language acquisition. The author agrees with both critics that abstract systems of phonology are acquired. He concludes that the proper study of language acquisition is to chart the course by which perceptual, motoric, and cognitive functions induce structure. (31…

Discusses a computer-assisted language learning model developed by the Didascalia center designed to comply with as many Belgian criteria as possible and based on contents and events in an object-oriented approach. Describes how the didacteme as basic object can enhance learner-content interaction and how this approach can lead to a new platform…

Discusses a special education program for children with lower intelligence quotients and emotional problems, to study introductory level Spanish with a teacher whose native language is Spanish. In addition to language content, the classes included instruction in social science. The program assisted these children in improving their knowledge of…

Notes that one way to ensure that students understand the importance of developing communicative abilities is to utilize Spanish language resources in the United States, as in an excursion to a "tienda" (shop), where they negotiate with the Spanish-speaking owner. (seven references) (Author/CK)

Examines second language students' perceptions of grammar instruction, with specific reference to writing skill. Discusses issues involved in defining a role for grammar study and presents excerpts from student essays and explanations of classroom lessons. Results indicate that the instruction provided helped to improve students' ability to use…

Examines foreign language offerings at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and details a survey of African American students' attitudes toward foreign languages. (nine references) (Author/CK)

Discusses the conflict between the two camps of second-language learning that exist within the university environment, one emphasizing communicative competence and the other, the importance of exposure to culture and literature. Notes that much research is needed into the role of culture and literature in language learning. (52 references)…

Discusses the similarities between the science of chaos/complexity and second language acquisition (SLA). Notes that chaos/complexity scientists focus on how disorder yields to order and on how complexity arises in nature. Points out that the study of dynamic, complex nonlinear systems is meaningful in SLA as well. (78 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses the challenges and rewards of incorporating a course on the literature of the Holocaust into the undergraduate German curriculum. Focuses on informing interested faculty members of the issues involved in organizing such a course and on providing a syllabus and bibliography. A syllabus on the literature of the Holocaust is appended. (12…

Examines incidental cultural knowledge displays by two nonnative-English-speaking teachers (NNESTs) in their intensive English program classrooms. Focuses on the nature of the discourse produced in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes taught by NNESTs. Analysis of videotaped classroom data indicates that a wide and unpredictable range of…