The format and structure of 150 Spanish-language letters written by business administrators in Guatemalan firms were analyzed to help determine how Latin American business writers organize and present information in various types of routine letters. Findings suggest that Latin American businesspeople follow some, but not all, of the format…

This qualitative study aims to explore the loss and maintenance of Spanish in Latin American children in Vancouver from the perspective of parents. It focuses on the experiences of children either developing bilingually (Spanish-English) or monolingually (English). The participating families were from Colombia, Guatemala, and El Salvador, and had…

Informed US citizens recognize the importance of neighboring South American countries. Few teachers, however, have the time to teach about each Latin American country. One approach to instruction is to focus on a few important countries. Suggestions to help middle school students learn about Argentina, Brazil, and Peru are presented. (RM)

A Latin American scholar suggests that the U.S. system for correspondence and audiovisual education has potential for an international effort to improve distance education in Latin America. Special considerations for Latin American populations, communications, and logistics and experiences in developing such programs at Pennsylvania State…

This theme issue presents literature selections that treat the United States Hispanic experience. The selections are organized under seven headings: The Immigrant Experience, Humor and Folklore, Family and Religion, Cultural Heritage, The Spanish Woman, Obligations and Compromise, War and Death. (AMH)

Illustrates how Mexico and the United States represent two versions of Western civilization that are profoundly different from one another. Concludes that the United States has always ignored minorities in foreign and domestic policy. Suggests that, to conquer its enemies, the United States must first conquer its historical attitude toward…

For 400 years the National Autonomous University of Mexico has remained at the hub of the country's intellectual and political life. The history of the University from the Mayas and the Aztecs, University expansion, upward mobility of students, and student pressure groups and politics are described. (MLW)

Profiles Noeli Pocaterra, a Venezuelan Wayuu woman, and her roles as community leader, activist in the struggle for indigenous rights, newly elected president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples, and University of Zulia faculty member. Discusses community work, international networking, her views on cultural and language maintenance, and…

Reports on year-long classroom teaching experiments in two predominantly Latino low-socioeconomic-status (SES) urban classrooms which sought to support first graders' thinking of 2-digit quantities as tens and ones. Presents a model of a developmental sequence of conceptual structures for 2-digit numbers to describe children's thinking.…

Describes a political science class that focused on the interconnections between the Iran-Contra political scandal and United States Latin American policies. The class considered relevant aspects of that foreign policy as well as presidential leadership styles, congressional inquiries, bureaucratic politics, and public opinion. Briefly reviews the…

Discusses the study of literatures, cultures, and languages of people of color in the United States and Canada. Considers recruitment, mentoring, and evaluation of junior faculty members of color. Presents guidelines which are designed to assist departments that have not yet adopted or are in the process of developing such procedures. (SG)

Addresses the problem of geographic literacy with respect to the Caribbean Basin. Provides a lesson plan, including maps and charts, that encourages and challenges students to learn the geography of the Caribbean Basin, and to think about the problems that develop when large numbers of legal and illegal immigrants enter the United States. (RW)

The French Revolution had profound and long-term effects for Africans, both in Africa and throughout the Western hemisphere. Revolutionary leaders not only opposed the emancipation of slaves in French territories but supported an intensified slave trade, sparking numerous rebellions. French exploitation of Africans extended well into the twentieth…

Discusses the need for increased and more appropriate Hispanic representation in instructional materials at school to promote understanding of Latin culture. Stereotypes about Hispanics relate to punctuality, machismo, initiative, self-image, skin color, socioeconomic status, intelligence, parents' role in education, language proficiency, and…

By the year 2000, Latinos are expected to make up 50 percent of the nation's Catholic population, but educators contend that Catholic institutions of higher education have not done enough to meet the academic needs of this constituency. Cost and resistance to cultural diversity on campus are seen as factors. (Author/MSE)