Questions the value of classic literature in teaching secondary school students to read for pleasure. Suggests that a better vehicle for the same goal is young adult literature like "The Outsiders." (TB)

Shares some of the things learned during interviews and observations of three English teachers focusing on the role of planning in the teaching process. (MG)

Examines the issue of responsibility regarding the proper development of teaching skills among new members of the English teaching profession. Argues that cooperating teachers and mentors are essential in the formation of beginning teachers. (HB)

Describes the experience of one English teacher who utilized teacher research to restructure and revitalize her teaching. Describes the dissatisfaction and disillusionment of her students, attitudes that prompted the changes. Narrates the particular events and techniques used by the teacher, especially with regard to her concept of cooperative…

Explores the themes of diversity and choice as they relate to the teaching of English at all levels. Contrasts the open-mindedness of English teachers with nationalist and traditionalist agents in government. Describes a conflict over Key Stage 3 testing in Great Britain as exemplifying this clash. (HB)

Considers the educational views espoused by the Centre for Policy Studies of Great Britain as revealed in recent publications. Examines the strategies used by this group to block meaningful dialog. Argues for a more comprehensive concept of English instruction, and outlines such an agenda. (HB)

The current literary tradition observes a canon of hierarchies, a ranking of great writers and genres, that tends to exclude or downgrade women and lower caste males. The response of feminist scholars to this state of affairs falls into two general categories: the first is to find great women authors to fit into the canon on its own terms; the…

To examine why citizens today do not understand the U.S. Constitution and its provisions, a survey was conducted among 153 high school social studies, journalism, and English teachers to examine, among other things, how they taught about constitutional rights and how they rated their students' knowledge of the subject compared to students'…

Intended for use by junior or senior high school English teachers, the articles and features in this theme issue focus on romantic fiction and poetry for young adults. The articles and their authors are as follows (1) "The Gift of Poetry" (L. B. Hopkins); (2) "Maybe the Gallows, But Not a Tin Ear" (A. K. Helbig); (3) "A…

Because half of all students are female, and because role models are important in forming ideas and images, more attention should be devoted to finding books with heroic, tragic, or significant female characters. Good literature by women can be found in an increasing number of anthologies of women's literature that are now being produced. When…

Throughout its history, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has addressed the question: How can literature be fully revealed to students at all educational levels? In answering this question, NCTE has (1) clarified the rationale and objectives for teaching literature, with a view to reconciling concepts of literature as both an…

Experience using a freshman writing magazine in basic Rhetoric classes at other colleges prompted the creation of a similar one at DeKalb College in Georgia. Building a coalition of supportive colleagues; composing a statement of purpose; and sending letters with the pertinent information to freshmen writers, colleagues, and high school English…

Although English teachers must spend 40 to 60% of their teaching time in developing the listening, composition, reading, and speech skills of their students, most college English programs allow only 8% of the professional course time for teacher preparation in these skill areas. Even in those colleges that offer a language arts major, the majority…

Thirty-five English educators identify three priority areas: (1) pedagogy, including class size, occupational conditions, and the dropout rate; (2) teacher issues, including teacher motivation, teacher training, and administrative relations; and (3) curriculum issues, including grammar and repetition in textbooks. (JG)

Describes a teacher's experience teaching sixth grade drama in Britain, where drama is viewed as distinct from literature and stresses role playing. Outlines particular improvisation activities, scriptwriting projects, approaches to class discussion, and the use of dramatic activities to teach other subjects. (JG)