Discusses a project to implement an alternative system for university admission based on clearly defined competencies in several subject areas, i.e., culture, writing, speaking, listening, reading and transferable skills (provisional). Developing national standards will inform this project, assisting in the creation of common goals in foreign…

Six instructional design principles are recommended to enable students with learning disabilities to comprehend and compose expository materials. The instructional principles are illustrated using the compare/contrast text structure. Charts provide examples and clarification of the strategies. (SW)

A nonwriting third grade student's encounter with writing is described. The approach used with the child's class involved choosing their own topic, writing at an individual pace, working with peers, using illustrations, and participating in conferences with the teacher. Through this approach, the bilingual student realized he could be literate and…

Maintains that writing ability is vital in fulfilling geography discipline objectives of mutual understanding and emancipation. Reports on a study of the use of writing groups in college geography classrooms in the United States and Australia. Includes a student essay evaluation guide as an appendix. (CFR)

Presents a study of the acquisition and development of information coordination ability. Examines students' composition of texts comparing two cultural groups after reading either one text describing both or a separate text on each. Concludes that older students used more complex information integration levels, whereas all subjects performed…

Examined the written responses of 13 teachers, who were making the transition toward using a process approach to writing instruction in their classes, to drafts composed by fourth graders. Findings provided information about how the teachers used language and what in the student drafts they focused on in their responses. (BB)

Discusses "Liberal Learning and the History Major," a report on the state of history education by the American Historical Association that cited a need for curricular structure in and continuity among history departments. Includes an overview of recommendations on curriculum, active learning, and emphasis on research and writing skills.…

This study compared 13 students (grades 6 through 8) with behavior disorders who were mainstreamed part of each school day with 6 similar students not mainstreamed. Overall, the mainstreamed students had higher reading and written language scores, better work habits, and higher grades. Nonmainstreamed students demonstrated more extremes in social…

Contends that teachers can incorporate data collection and writing activities into economics classes to stimulate and enrich classroom experiences. Describes three types of assignments involving data collection and written reports designed for microeconomics courses. Includes five figures that exemplify the assignments. (CFR)

Having students work together to write a historical novel is one way to integrate language arts and social studies. A step-by-step approach to completing such a writing project includes reading to get ready, brainstorming, developing a plot, adding descriptive detail, writing and revising, and final editing and typing. (SM)

Asserts that the technique of "Stories at Work," or fictional-critical writing, is an emerging discipline within professional development and educational research. Discusses ways in which the technique can be used to enhance self-concept and improve teacher effectiveness. (CFR)

This article discusses the use of computers with students of English as a Second Language (ESL), focusing on a pilot program that utilized computer word processing in ESL writing classes at Richmond College in London. The program used "student computer experts" as tutors to introduce word processing to their classmates. (10 references)…

Describes a skills development program based on research and writing subskills. Includes analyzing questions, devising a form to record information, researching and reporting findings, and supporting a point of view in persuasive essay. Explains that the program through three years of middle school, adding and refining skills each year. Suggests…

Two studies involving 138 third graders and 18 fifth and sixth graders examined whether children's ability to revise problematic texts could be enhanced through training in a comprehension monitoring strategy. Results show that acquiring a strategy can help children make appropriate revisions to improve the text's comprehension. (SLD)

A study examined effects of requiring mainly nonfrancophone university freshmen to use word processing in a French literature course. Results showed students learned word processing without harmful effects on course performance, showed greater control over French spelling and grammar, and wrote more syntactically complex French. Increased…