Describes an inservice course for sixth-form teachers to examine ways of moving away from course books and discussing ways of getting pupils to be more competent orally, especially in the context of discussion issues as opposed to general conversation. Two intensive courses were used as the basis for the inservice day. (CK)

Maintains that, although a few Native American women figure prominently in U.S. history, women's perspectives and experiences have largely been excluded from research into Native American history. Reviews life experiences and contributions of Native American women throughout U.S. history. (CFR)

Asserts that the current focus on voluntary national standards has catapulted arts education into a new prominence. Discusses the background and tactics of current educational reform efforts. Concludes that, without empirical research and assessment, the proposed curricular standards will remain an educational fad. (CFR)

Studies the involvement of 15 Chinese immigrant parents or guardians at 1 school in southern California, and provides information on home/school communication. The study determined, through additional interviews with 10 elementary teachers, at which levels of participation did parents and teachers see themselves working and the kinds of…

Explores the mismatch between pedagogical intentions and learner outcomes and argues for learner centeredness as a central (yet relative) concept. Ways in which the relationship between teachers and learners and teaching and learning can be strengthened, e.g., experiential content, language content, and learning process, are explored, and examples…

Examines the relationships of individual difference variables to end-of-training proficiency ratings in speaking and reading for a large sample of adults in intensive training in a wide range of languages at the U.S. Department of State. Variables included tested cognitive aptitude, learning strategies, learning styles, personality, motivation and…

Discusses the assumption that linguistic heterogeneity reflects social heterogeneity. The article examines a challenge to this assumption evident in the Gaelic-speaking communities of East Sutherland, Scotland, with homogeneous populations showing well-established patterns of language variation that do not correlate with socioeconomic status. (38…

Contends that this is an exciting and troubling time for historians. Discusses changes in historiography in recent years, particularly in relation to the historical role of minority groups and women. Outlines changing concepts of slavery, liberty, and freedom in U.S. history. (CFR)

Reviews the role of political history throughout 100 years of historiography in the "American Historical Review." Presents 2 choices available to political historians who wish to reclaim their central place in history. Reviews recent research and interpretations of political history. (CFR)

Maintains that a recent survey of historians reveals a love of history and of history teaching, and a commitment to civic betterment. Discusses the issue of cultural diversity and unity within the profession and contemporary historical writing. Outlines the discipline's relation to a larger public, including graduate students. (CFR)

Describes an ethnographic study that called for observing and listening to young inner-city learners as they engaged in reading and writing, and developing field note accounts about what learners did during these periods. The paper examines complexities in learning to interpret the children's perspectives, such as the need to include home visits…

To investigate the origins and nature of intuitive obstacles affecting the learning of elementary probability theory, 618 Italian elementary and middle school students were interviewed about their methods of solution for several problems dealing with probability. The discussion focuses on four varieties of obstacles to learning prevalent within…

Compares California State University alumni survey ratings evaluating each social science major in developing basic employment skills. Concludes that, although sociology received mediocre ratings compared to the other social science majors in the latest study, the ratings are improving. Reports substantially lower incomes for women alumnae as…

The bibliography provides 19 annotated citations of research reports, journal articles, and dissertations concerning second-language writing instruction that have become available April 1-July 31, 1992. Topics include knowledge transfer and loss across languages, rhetoric, translation vs. direct composition, revision processes and patterns,…

Compares opinions of students from secondary, vocational, and technicums technical schools in the USSR on why Soviet students drink alcohol. Reasons include companionship, celebrations, curiosity, and imitation. Investigates gender differences. Underscores student naivete about alcohol's effects. Indicates discrepancies between students' stated…