Discusses various definitions of the "testimonial" and characteristics that distinguish it from related literary genres. Examines autobiographical and testimonial literature by Native women of British Columbia, focusing on first-hand accounts of student experiences in Indian residential schools. Contains 29 references. (SV)

This paper uses narrative accounts to explore intercultural experiences and the perception of the self by second language (L2) users. The analysis follows poststructuralist and postmodern theories of cultural and language identity. Extracts from the autobiographies of three chicano writers from the 1980s to the new millennium, Richard Rodriguez's…

The article explores the purpose and methods of teaching the personal narrative in foreign language classrooms. Following a cross-cultural comparison of the history, purpose, and form of autobiography in first-language contexts in the United States and Japan; a review of the place of personal narrative in second- and foreign-language composition…

The themes of adult learning, cross-cultural learning, and transformative learning are common to many continuing educators working at universities across Canada. In this essay, I narrate my experiences as a mature, adult learner returning to university. Following a literature review and discussion of methodology, I begin this autobiographical…

This autobiography relates the experiences of a young Ojibway boy who was taken from his family in 1939 at age 10 and placed in a Jesuit boarding school in northern Ontario, Canada. St. Peter Claver (later Garnier) or "Spanish," as the Indian school was known, was home to approximately 135 boys. Most of the students, who ranged in age…

As part of an effort to learn from reflecting on personal history and autobiographical writing and analysis, this paper shares one teacher educator's experiences in learning to teach. The process of learning to teach a field experience course for elementary school teacher candidates at a teachers' junior college in Taiwan is described. The…

This study was conducted in order to examine programmatic and personal dimensions that interact to shape a future teacher's beliefs and practices. The study charted stages of preservice teacher development through dialogue journal case study analysis of eight students representing divergent academic disciplines and cultural biographies. The…

Noting that the study of intrapersonal communication (inner speech) is increasingly recognized as an integral part of communication education, this paper argues that introspective writing, such as memoirs and personal journals, can be studied in communication classes for the confirmation they offer of theoretical descriptions of internal…

By following the "steppingstone" or marker theory of dividing one's life into no more than 12 and no less than 8 significant periods, a student in a writing course can develop a brief response for each phase to articulate multiple experiences. Writing teachers can aid students in realizing that important life experiences are the stuff of…

The ability to infuse language with qualities of the human voice in the act of speaking is what distinguishes autobiography as a genre and makes it most suited to teaching students subtle features inherent in the complex act of writing. When students write from personal experience, they consciously begin to shape their identities in one direction…

Designed to show that native authorship is flourishing, that excellent books by non-native writers are available, and that many small and a few large companies publish these works, this bibliography of more than 200 fiction and non-fiction listings written between 1966 and 1979 contains: (1) non-fiction and fiction books and materials by native…

In order to minimize the dread which students and teachers alike often feel toward freshman composition courses, it is important to involve students in reading and writing assignments which are of interest and importance to them. Autobiography, as a subject for study and a focus for writing, can be a great motivator and an expediter of the…

This annotated bibliography identifies a core collection of over 1,700 books and periodicals that will support a women's studies undergraduate program. Although older materials appear frequently in the bibliography, the main emphasis is on works published since 1970. Books are grouped into 21 subject areas including anthropology, autobiography,…

This black American literature course for grades 10-12 is designed to introduce students to the unique contribution that the black American has made to American life. The course guide is divided into four units--Slave Narrative and Autobiography, Poetry, Short Story, Drama--with suggested activites, including class discussions, small group…

Written by an Eskimo who created all the book's art work, drawings, and illustrations, this narrative portrays the theme that prior to white contact the Eskimos had a complex, satisfying, technologically developed, and progressive culture which was immobilized, fragmented, and exploited by European invaders: hence the title--give or take a…