Explores the role of the school counselor in the success of adolescent English language learners (ELLs). Encourages school counselors to value the important and central role they play in the success of ELLs. Findings from the project show positive effects on student outcomes that were achieved through enhancing the professional preparation of…

A survey of textbooks and official Ministry of Education programs of study for the Province of Ontario, Canada, revealed three stages in the history of teaching English language in intermediate and secondary schools. Prior to the mid-1960s language study was fundamentally the study of formal grammar and standard usage. From the mid-1960s until the…

The research orientations and perspectives of people participating in the international dialogue about the redefinition of English language studies have been varied. Two broad and overlapping areas are distinctive to English studies: the exploration of human values and experience through the study of literature and the media, and the development…

Recent research has invited critiques of the authoritative descriptions of composing found in many rhetoric textbooks. The concept of "convention" may be especially useful in rethinking the teleological basis of these textbook descriptions. Conventions found in composition textbooks need to be unmasked as arbitrary concepts which serve…

The author reviews literature on teaching the learning disabled (LD) in college English classrooms. He notes work by V. Davis which suggests the following methods and techniques: (1) reinforce coping techniques the students have already developed; (2) provide help with reading tasks through summaries of vocabulary; (3) allow taping of classes (to…

This paper presents three strategies for convincing English teachers that eliminating sexist language is a serious priority in their profession. The first section of the paper examines the historical evolution of definitions of gender specific words and of pronoun usage, noting both the recency of sexually biased language styles and the myth of a…

Focusing on the social variation of language, this paper provides an overview of basic sociolinguistic concepts deemed to be necessary information for teachers involved in the language and literacy development of children who speak nonstandard dialects. The first section of the paper discusses three things that teachers must understand about…

Typically, students justify their pursuit of a college education as being necessary for a well-paying job, rather than as a tool for themselves as individuals. Often college curricula are responsible for turning students away from knowledge for its own sake. But should an education be merely useful? The description of the Alphas in Aldous Huxley's…

Fear of poor teaching and low national test scores have spawned a back to basics movement and a shift from the use of tests as predictors and models to that of assessment and achievement. This movement may have positive impact on the teaching of English, which previously has not lent itself well to standardized testing. Although many English…

The pendular shifts in attitudes toward teaching writing reflect varying concerns that educators have had about the proper instructional emphasis--whether it should be student centered or discipline centered. The historical dates that act as signposts to these shifting attitudes toward methods of writing instruction include the following: the…

Examines the concept of creativity, then looks at the creativity theories of social psychologist Teresa Amabile as they apply to the teaching of literature. (FL)

Discusses the work of D. Smith, who wrote "Fifty Years of Children's Books,""Instruction in English," and Selected Essays," that largely document the history of English instruction in the U.S. for the last 50 years. (SRT)

Discusses research results that shed light on the current state of English teaching in the United States, particularly as it contrasts with instruction in Canada and the United Kingdom. Considers the extent to which technological change in society at large might change secondary school English teaching. (EL)

Examines teaching methods and assessment methods used in teaching sixth form English over the years. (DF)

Discusses structuralism and liberal humanism and states that both are based upon moral and metaphysical positions. (DF)