Considers several ways in which texts are used in English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) classrooms where communicative skills are taught. These texts fail to offer the EFL student the possibility of personal involvement of the sort that would be normal with a text in the native language. Suggestions are made for using texts in a way which encourages…

Most second language texts not only do not emphasize negotiation of meaning, but are also structured to mislead learners in their attempt to express meaning (in the learners' native language). Examples from German, Spanish, and French are used to illustrate the need for second language learning to stand alone and independently from the native…

States that because of an unclear rationale for instructional goals, the expanding environment organizational scheme results in trivial course content. Recommends that elementary social studies be guided by a citizenship education rationale. Two illustrative lessons, using story, biography, and historical narrative, are provided: Sojourner Truth…

Analyzes the different types of texts that can be used in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language. Based on their communicative function, the texts are divided into the following categories: description, narration, instruction, argumentation, and exposition. Grids with examples of each type of text are included. (CFM)

The status of the North American Indian in most history and social studies textbooks has not substantially changed in the last 20 years. The Indian continues to be portrayed in extreme, simplistic, stereotypical roles--on the one hand noble, peaceful, friendly, and helpful and on the other hand fierce and warlike. (JHZ)

Suggests that those who evaluate textbooks for adoption in schools use a framework such as the one included, which examines writing style, tone, analogies and illustrations, sentence and paragraph coherence, headings and subheadings, and location of charts, graphs, and figures. (JC)

Presents examples of "secular humanism" culled from various textbooks. (NKA)

Examined the treatment of Social Security, civil rights, political power, and population trends in 19 secondary schools' United States history and government textbooks. Found that only Social Security was given adequate treatment. Concluded that the coverage of aging issues in secondary textbooks was generally weak and insufficient. (Author/NB)

Examines six recent basal series and compares them to books used in older studies to find evidence of improvement in the portrayal of female characters. (JC)

Two federal courts of appeals each reversed a controversial lower court decision and in the process reaffirmed state control over curriculum policy. Discusses the implications of these cases for the scope and the limits of school board authority over the curriculum. (MLF)

Experts who had been suggesting criteria for "considerate text"--text that facilitates understanding, learning, and remembering--were challenged to write an ideal textbook. The chapter--"Americans Develop Plans for Government"--that they wrote in response to the challenge is presented here. The rationale and strategy they used…

Discusses the applicability of research into cognitive schemas, metacognition, instructional design, and learning strategies to textbook creation; the value of well-structured, coherent, and focused texts; readability formulas, narrative characteristics, science and social studies texts, glossaries, dictionaries, teachers' manuals, and practice…

While Nepal no longer needs to purchase textbooks from India, the development of a national textbook publishing industry has not been problem-free. High costs, shortages of qualified editors, and problems with finding competent printers, storing printed books, and distributing texts have all complicated textbook production. (IS)

Presents four essays that discuss (1) the continued apathy of many English teachers toward censorship of textbooks, (2) the tenuous commitment of the general public to the First Amendment rights of speech and assembly, (3) feminists as censors, and (4) the tendency of conflicts between censors and anticensors to be dominated by the extremes. (RBW)

Change in the way social issues are addressed depends on our recognizing the value of using issues to improve thinking and decision-making skills and to develop historicalmindedness and a global perspective rather than learning the content of particular topics or the "right" answer about an issue. (Author/DCS)