Literacy education in Jamaica lacks an officially accepted policy and methodology for teaching creole speakers. This has led to a low literacy level across the population. The distinctive features of Jamaican Creole are highlighted in this article in order to give theoretical and pedagogical insights to literacy teachers. (VM)

Presents a brief history of readability formulas (discussing their capabilities and liabilities) and synthesizes current readability research for teachers who want to use readability principles in their work and who want to teach these principles to their students. Contains a table of the most commonly used formulas that lists their variables,…

Recommends text-building routines for teaching students efficient ways to compose coherent paragraphs and longer documents, including frequently used plans for organizing goal-directed writing, means for highlighting to emphasize some ideas and de-emphasize others, and rule-governed ways to overlap previously mentioned information with new…

Reviews articles published on the topic of language across the curriculum (LAC) from 1979-1984. Reveals problems with LAC center on four issues: definition of LAC itself; influence of linguistic bias and an English-subject-centered leadership; difficulties in implementing LAC; and views of the relative success and failure of LAC initiatives. (NEC)

This paper discusses some of the issues in literacy that arose in Fiji in the 70s and the 80s, the social and contextual variables that shaped them, and the ways in which those issues were tackled. The paper also discusses some current developments that have occurred--some of these developments will have a positive benefit upon the literacy levels…

This book recounts the story of the people who have studied and taught composition in American colleges since the early 19th century. It shows where many of today's teachers' practices and assumptions about writing come from, and it translates what theories and techniques of teaching have, over time, indicated about attitudes toward students,…

Suggests that research on the structure of narrative promises to yield practical benefits for the literature curriculum. (JL)

George Brown's "On the Teaching of English in Elementary and High Schools" is praised for its approach emphasizing the development of self-knowledge, self-control, feeling, and creativity through English instruction rather than simply passing on communication skills. (MSE)

Proposes a shift in the focus of literary studies to emphasize practical criticism and critical reading of literature within the context of social values. (RL)

Describes various resources indexed in the ERIC system that promote multiethnic perspectives in English instruction and English education, including introductory guides to multicultural education and programs for reading and discussion. (AEA)

Discusses the relationship between visual electronic media (e.g. television, film, and computers) and cognitive ability. Notes that language is now inseparable from its electronic media context, and that classroom activities should focus on active interaction with this media to encourage critical thinking. (MM)

Describes the writing and drawing produced by a group of first-grade students during "writing workshop" time throughout the school year. Considers whether genres emerge in ways analogous to other aspects of writing development. Suggests that genre may indeed be emergent. (HB)

In view of the vast amounts of Native American stereotyping that exists in the United States today, English teachers should analyze ways to reduce the effects of such stereotypes. Despite recent attempts to raise ethnic consciousness, American popular culture still perpetuates and reinforces Indian stereotypes, and these prevailing images block…

The cognitive/developmental theories of Jean Piaget and John Dewey assert that people learn by doing and that they grow intellectually by tackling demanding problems. It is this active, problem-solving orientation that is central to a cognitive/developmental approach to composition teaching. Six core principles can serve as guides for composition…

Analyzes the national school reform reports by Boyer, Goodlad, and Sizer, pointing out that implicit in all three reports is the need for engagement, inquiry, connection, and community. Suggests teachers examine their classrooms in light of these recommendations. (ARH)