The relative effects of various types of negative feedback on the acquisition of the English dative alternation by 100 adult Spanish-speaking learners of English as a Second Language were investigated. Results suggest that adult learners can and do use feedback to learn specific and abstract linguistic generalizations. (75 references) (Author/LB)

Fourteen adults who participated in planning their course were compared with 15 controls in a teacher-planned course. Findings suggest that participation in planning does not significantly influence achievement, satisfaction, or classroom environment, nor does environment influence satisfaction or achievement. (SK)

Four strategies for English-as-a-Second-Language teachers to use with adult students include sell yourself and your course; use relevant materials and activities; raise language awareness; and provide opportunities for practice and feedback. (Contains 11 references.) (LB)

A sample of 1,237 university students completed the Institutional Barriers Instrument regarding institutional, dispositional, situational, and physical barriers to participation. Factor analysis identified four deterrents: (1) lack of confidence; (2) family responsibilities; (3) institutional encouragement; and (4) time. (SK)

An evaluation of Job Trails, a computerized basic skills assessment of functional context literacy, received 79 responses from adult students showing that (1) it works best with low performing learners; (2) adults liked using computers and did not view it as a "test"; and (3) they learned more about necessary job skills. (SK)

Comparison of 187 New England Telephone workers participating in a workplace education program of the University of Rhode Island and 187 on-campus students showed them alike in terms of persistence, but workers earned fewer College-Level Examination Program credits and matriculated more slowly. Supportive work environments affected matriculation.…

Responses from 27 of 37 graduates of an Adult Degree Program and 102 of 122 current students revealed similar positive views of the program. Many enrolled because of adult-centered program characteristics; most did not like the final project (not required of the regular student body) and found that employers often had negative perceptions of a…

The School for New Learning at DePaul University gives adult students a primary role in the design of teaching and assessment. Both academic standards and student goals become part of the student-referenced assessment process, in which self-assessment plays an important part. (SK)

Five types of adult learners are (1) pragmatic, goal oriented; (2) affective; (3) in transition; (4) integrated; and (5) risk taking. Appropriate teaching strategies are (1) clear objectives, relevant content; (2) personal interaction; (3) opportunities to discuss experiences, mentoring; (4) opportunities for self-direction; and (5) innovation.…

In an activity for the French classroom, teams of four student pairs read and summarize newspaper and magazine articles, extract a vocabulary list, prepare content questions, and become experts on portions of the text for a small-group discussion game. Changing partners and solo presentation are important features of the exercise. (MSE)

According to responses to a survey of 197 older adult learners, access, comfort, and convenience were better in College of the Emeriti classes held in continuing education centers than in main campus classes. Class location and design of the physical environment should be considered to ensure their appropriateness for the growing numbers of adult…

Investigated the effects of gender, age, and ethnicity on the institutional, situational, and dispositional challenges faced by traditional age and older students in higher education. Surveys of 209 students indicated that most coped well with challenges. Older students reported fewer barriers than younger students. There were few gender or ethnic…

A British outreach program was designed to increase participation of Asian students in access to higher education courses. The program used a video and profiles of former access students in recruitment and retention efforts. (SK)

Discusses potential problems and advantages of assessing grammatical competence from production data from interactional contexts. Argues that regardless of difficulties in assessing grammatical competence in interactional contexts, the types of interactions change with time, as the interlanguage grammar develops. (9 references) (Author/CK)

Reviews the research on nontraditional (adult) college students. Discusses the recent growth of this student population, adult student characteristics and life situations, learning motivation and achievement of adult students, adult students' preferences in the classroom, and principles of andragogy. Contains 61 references. (SV)