Traces the development of the English elective curriculum from 1962 to the present. Discusses the reasons for its early popularity and for its current decline. (FL)

Notes that the decline of English in India began soon after its introduction into Indian universities near the middle of the nineteenth century and was precipitated in part by too lofty aims and too little attention to Indian languages at the university level. (RL)

A survey of 425 high school journalism students indicated that these students considered journalism education as an opportunity for learning to improve their writing. These results indicate that journalism education should be taken more seriously as a necessary part of the high school English curriculum. (RL)

The notion of literature's difficulty must have begun with its first interpreter. Biblical readings sometimes allegorized scripture into moral precept, while occult readings (i.e., Gnostic writings) often carried an implication that such texts are either for an elite readership or represent the essence of a tradition of spiritual truth under…

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…

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…

Discusses the movement to provide a position for drama within the curriculum, opposition to the movement, and recent works which highlight the potential for drama in the language arts. Points out that drama teaches students to negotiate and create meaning. (ARH)

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)

Discusses the tendencies of writers of adolescent literature to seek out the violent and even the sadistic and to present it to less able adolescent readers. Suggests that not having students read may be preferable to having them read adolescent literature with objectionable subject matter that they may misinterpret. (RL)

Examines the history and psychology of adolescence, and of the adolescent and reading. Reviews research done by Victor Nell, who looks at the characteristics of the dedicated and absorbed reader. Asserts that teachers can benefit from an understanding of the psychology of teaching literature to adolescents. (MG)

Discusses the recent efforts to expand literary studies into numerous allied fields and the possible effects that such attempts toward interdisciplinarity and internationalism might have. Warns against possible negative consequences of interdisciplinary approaches. Calls for an expanded view of English as a field of study. (HB)

A teacher's search for a coherent explanation for the resistance of students to high school literature programs, vitally important since student attitudes influence learning, resulted in a discovery of both external and internal causal factors. Externally, an increasing emphasis on competency testing hinders the fostering of lifelong literacy.…

The number of college students in technical writing classes has grown at least tenfold since 1969. This dramatic increase has occurred partly because of the practicality and power inherent in technical writing and partly because of the increased need for technical writing skills by people in today's change workforce. As developed countries shift…