Investigates whether reading instruction for adult English-as-a-Second-Language students should focus on fostering linguistic ability or on increasing background knowledge. Demonstrates that both linguistic knowledge and prior knowledge contribute significantly to reading comprehension. Argues that an integrative approach to reading instruction is…

Examines the literature linking phoneme awareness and reading acquisition, and looks at the nature of this relationship in terms of learner and task. Summarizes findings from correlational and phoneme awareness training studies and discusses the relationship of phoneme awareness to reading. Presents explanations for low phoneme awareness skills in…

In the development of word recognition skills, self-discovery may not be the most efficacious mode of learning, and it may be useful to isolate or fractionate cognitive components. Successful intervention directed at word recognition involves exogenous constructivism, in which explicit instruction and teacher-directed strategy teaching are not…

Responds to David Bloome's critique of Sarah J. McCarthey's article in the same issue. Suggests that researchers must risk reporting difficult cases and continue to negotiate their relationships with teachers in the quest for understanding of the social context of classrooms. (HB)

Presents a dialogue between a university faculty member and an elementary teacher. Explores the rich relationship afforded by collaborative efforts. Demonstrates how the connections of methods courses to classroom settings can strengthen preservice training for beginning teachers. (HB)

Describes 12 successful practices for literature programs which evolved as students and teachers talked about books. Finds that these practices minimize the basalization of literature and maximize the analysis of and dialogue about literature. (MG)

Presents annotations of nine documents and journal articles from the ERIC database that discuss the theory and rationale for exploiting the connections between reading and writing and ways to stress the connection through the use of integrated reading and writing. (MG)

This study of 36 backward readers (mean age=111 months) from the Netherlands determined that repeated reading-while-listening of the same text did not lead to better results (except in reading speed) than reading different texts, and asking readers to detect mismatches between written and spoken texts did not improve performance. (Author/JDD)

This study, involving a total of 36 preschool children, found that children recalled more sight words on object labels after introduction to the labels and daily repetition, compared to 2 other techniques. Children attending five days per week recalled more words than three-day and two-day students. (Author/JDD)

Examines 35 low-SES, urban children's ways of interpreting traditional skills-based literacy instruction in kindergarten and first grade. Reveals four patterns of success/nonsuccess in literacy development within the classroom context. (MG)

This rejoinder to Carbo (EC 602 673) reiterates the author's premise in EC 602 672 that the learning style approach to teaching reading is similar to discredited process approaches. Carbo's documentation is criticized as being unscientific because of being based on testimonials, opinion, unpublished research, and unproven cause and effect.…

Interviews Lisa Delpit from the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University. Argues that many nonmainstream children need explicit instruction in literacy conventions and strategies to gain access to the culture of power. (MG)

Addresses three questions to language teachers concerning vocabulary development: (1) Why is it important to have a rich vocabulary? (2) How does vocabulary development take place? and (3) What can happen in class to foster vocabulary growth? (MG)

Describes how one teacher initiated a whole language program and attempted to inform parents about the program. Discusses the importance of maintaining a constant flow of communication to parents and providing variety in the media that are used to carry the communication. (MG)

Reviews current developments in second-language reading research and its implications for the classroom, particularly the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom. It is argued that the last 10 years have yielded insights that challenge previous views of first- and second-language reading and imply future avenues of research. (67 references) (VWL)