A study exploring the differences between first- and second-language word recognition strategies revealed that second-language listeners used more higher level information than native language listeners, when access to higher level information was not hindered by a competence-ceiling effect, indicating that word processing strategy is a function…

The study evaluated prediction of language quality using 3 approaches (neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and combination) with 37 developmentally delayed children (ages 5-9). Results indicated that these children had language and speech delays that showed substantial relationships to their verbal cognitive abilities and fine motor skills, in addition…

Preschool teachers of children with attentional disorders and delays need to increase pupil engaged time for effective language learning, through such techniques as following the child's lead, providing novelty, using interactive teaching techniques (e.g., incidental teaching, mand-model technique, systematic commenting), and using activity-based…

It is claimed that second-language classroom research cannot establish itself as a discipline if it does not relate at least to the fields of second-language acquisition, discourse analysis, syllabus design, and methodology. The argument is drawn from experiences in Tunisian secondary schools. (Contains 27 references.) (Author/LB)

The notion of code-switching among Arabic-English bilinguals is examined. Various syntactic constraints are delineated that govern this phenomenon, the susceptibility of particular sentence constituents to switching, and the determination of the matrix language in their linguistic performance. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/LB)

Learning sign language is a multisensory, high-interest, developmentally appropriate activity for young children. Learning to sign improves children's attention, self-esteem, motivation, sensitivity to others, language development, reading and math readiness, behavior management, vocabularies, and retention; and allows for inclusion of special…

Addresses the specific language expectations of early elementary school, describes common language problems, and recommends strategies for intervention in early childhood classrooms. Includes examples of real classroom conversations between teacher and students. Presents two tables summarizing expressive and receptive language intervention…

This first of a two-part article looks at the language learning-acquiring distinction, discussing the consequences of teaching at either end of the learning-acquiring continuum. Describes the distinction between the two, discusses the learning versus acquiring of grammar, and compares the two. The second part of the article will focus on memory…

Discusses the suggestion that grammatical-specific language impairment (SLI) is characterized as a deficit affecting only feature-related aspects of grammar. The research reported here indicates a wider impairment involving aspects of grammar not determined by feature checking, in particular the structure of the verb phrase with resultative…

Centers on the power of words (words from literature) that have woven themselves into the lives of the author's two daughters. Examines the children's response to literature as they became writers of prose and poetry in elementary school, showing how, when, where, and why the children use literary language to enhance and express their own verbal…

Discusses a longitudinal experimental study concerned with the second-language acquisition of argument structure and its relationship with case theory. French and English intermediate learners of Spanish as a second language were tested three times over a period of eight months on their knowledge of dative experiencers. Results indicate that the…

This paper considers initial findings of a research study examining the strategic behavior of nonnative speakers of English when they are faced with situations requiring pragmatic competence in a second language. The development of first-language pragmatic competence is described then the acquisition of pragmatic competence by adult…

Outlines a four-phase process for forming therapeutic alliances between speech/language professionals and families. Methods from the family therapy literature are superimposed onto speech-language therapy techniques. Adaptations to meet the needs of young children with communication difficulties and their families are described. Case study dialogs…

Used growth modeling to examine relationship of early parenting to cognitive, language, and social development from 6 to 40 months in full-term and very low birth weight (medically low or high risk) children. Found that behaviors that were sensitive to children's focus of interest and did not highly control or restrict their behaviors predicted…

The relationships between aspects of mother-infant interaction and both communication and cognitive skills at 1 year of age were examined in 92 African American dyads, of whom 64 were poor. The overall quality of the home environment and maternal ratings of stimulation and elaborativeness were the most consistent correlates of infant communication…