In this study I examine the construct of aptitude in learning Chinese as a second language (L2) to an advanced level. I test 2 hypotheses: first, that L2 aptitude comprises 4 components--working memory, rote memory, grammatical sensitivity, and phonemic coding ability--and second, that L2 aptitude affects learning both directly and indirectly…

In the past quarter century, the nation's K-12 public schools have experienced a large influx of students who speak languages other than English. Research has shown that many factors affect how English learner (EL) students acquire English language skills, including their preparation before entering U.S. schools, their out-of-school environments,…

AS THE RESULT OF A CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE MANDATE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE PROGRAM BEGINNING AT THE SIXTH GRADE LEVEL, WEST HIGH SCHOOL SET UP A TWO-FOLD LANGUAGE ACHIEVEMENT TEST TO ACCURATELY PLACE QUALIFIED STUDENTS IN ADVANCED COURSES AND TO GET A GENERAL IDEA OF THE LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT OF INCOMING STUDENTS WITH VARIOUS DEGREES OF…

This report presents the findings of a California study on the demographic and educational characteristics and pre-enrollment language skills of over 265,000 newly legalized persons beginning legalization education programs. Data summarized about this population include immigration history, nationality, language background, age, distribution of…

California's Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) program provides job services, as well as training, education, and support services to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients to help them attain unsubsidized employment. The GAIN program includes an initial appraisal of participants' basic reading, mathematics, and functional…

The Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) legislation in California mandated a full range of employment-related training and supportive services designed to provide welfare program applicants and recipients with the skills needed to acquire unsubsidized employment through education and training. Tests to assess the basic reading, mathematics,…

THE STUDY CONCERNED TRACING THE DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN THE SAME GROUP OF SUBJECTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 9. THE RESEARCH WAS BASED ON A STUDY OF THE PATTERNS AND BEHAVIOR OF THE SUBJECTS' SPEECH AND WRITING AND THEIR COMPETENCE IN READING AND LISTENING. SUCH INFORMATION IS USEFUL IN CURRICULUM PLANNING AND IN DEVELOPING…

A discussion of the nature and scope of basic skills training introduces a series of recommendations for the improved effectiveness of this training based on a survey of California community colleges. The first sections of this report discuss issues of community college responsibility for basic skills training, its priority as an institutional…

The language arts component of the California State "Model Curriculum Guides" series, this document sets guidelines for the elementary and middle school English language arts curriculum. The guide suggests a learning sequence--core, integrated, and across the curriculum--and delineates concepts, skills, and activities appropriate for…

Designed to help implement the goals of the California state educational reform movement, this document presents a philosophical and practical framework for a literature based English language arts curriculum that will encourage students to read widely and in depth, write often in many formats, study important writings from many disciplines, and…