Schools in the United States are becoming more ethnically, racially, linguistically and economically diverse. It is projected that by 2050 the Hispanic population that speaks English as a second language in the United States will increase from 49.7 million to 132.8 million. Students who speak Spanish as their first langue are one of the largest…

Working as a school psychologist in Mexico is possible, even with no previous experience speaking Spanish. After graduate school, the author knew there would be no better time to go. He deferred his student loan repayments, enrolled in Spanish classes at a public Mexican university, and later got a job as a school psychologist in a private,…

Describes Project Orillas, a telecommunications network designed to improve the writing skills of bilingual and foreign language students studying English and Spanish in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. The electronic bulletin board system used for communication is explained and guidelines for joining the network are included. (LRW)

Compares the phonetically regular orthography of Spanish with the phonetic inconsistencies of English. Reports on the role of phonics in six popular Spanish reading programs. Notes that the regularity of the Spanish language is compatible with the use of systematic phonics for reading instruction. (MM)

Discusses when an infinitive may appear directly after a noun in Spanish and which word is used and why if a preposition or other such word is required. Examples used are where the infinitive phrase is the predicate nominative with the verb "ser," where the infinitive acts as the grammatical subject, and where the infinitive phrase is a…

Discusses the teaching of language and literature in light of the current "culture wars," focusing on the field of Iberian literature and languages. A model for redefining language curriculum is proposed that is based on the incorporation of language, literature, and culture in all courses. Examines the implementation of this model in Spanish and…

Discusses the use of English and Spanish children's literature in bilingual programs, reviewing 25 books that focus on elders teaching children, relationships between children and older adults, and children as helpers of older people. Using books that are related thematically gives children the opportunity to relate stories to their own lives and…

It is proposed that college second-language students can increase understanding of the nature of fiction and film in a carefully planned upper-level course combining genres. One Spanish teacher's experience illustrates that this improves students' appreciation of Hispanic values, specific literary and cinematographic techniques, and use of…

Discusses the use of the preposition "a" by examining why a few verbs in Spanish seem to occur with an obligatory marker and what relationship exists between this use of the preposition "a" and the more common occurrence of "a" with animate, definite direct objects. (SED)

Three years ago, the author was a newly minted library media specialist, a bit green, but excited, enthusiastic, and ready to educate her middle school students. Once she learned that four out of the twenty-five sixth grade classes she was required to teach were bilingual "Dual Language Classes," the author was determined to use her background in…

Discusses the teaching of the semantics and syntax of a particular construction employed to quote questions indirectly in Spanish. Argues that questions in indirect speech are always introduced by "que" in Spanish and are interpreted as questions. Indirect questions not introduced by "que" are normally interpreted as assertions. (SED)

Describes an experimental pilot project designed to encourage positive attitudes in young children toward children of different cultures through participation in planned activities. (EKN)

Describes mnemonic devices which can be taught to second-language students to improve their learning including mnemonic reduction, visual word pictures, elaboration, and the keyword method. (BK)

Describes a successful reciprocal bilingual exchange program between Anglophone fourth-year high school students of Spanish and native speakers of Spanish in an elementary school. Plans and specific activities are outlined for weekly interactions which serve as a sociocultural and linguistic bridge between the two groups of Spanish speakers. (PMJ)

Describes experimental Spanish program which employs simulated conversation strategies that allow students more freedom in their responses than in usual computer assisted language instruction programs, while error checking routines monitor for syntactic errors. (Author/BK)