Argues that a study of dialects, language attitudes and biases, and issues of power related to language policies should be part of courses for preservice English teachers. Describes class activities that deal with investigating language attitudes, validating linguistic variation, validating all dialects, understanding the politics of language, and…

Video is an effective educational tool in English Literature classes when the teacher is creative in its application. Video has five specific properties which make it an effective instructional device: (1) condensing or expanding an experience; (2) making the invisible visible; (3) taking the viewers where they could not go; (4) eliciting…

Looks at how technology has changed an eighth-grade teacher's world of teaching and learning in a variety of ways, including: professional growth; connecting the writing process with word processing; presentation of information (such as short story elements or parts of speech); research on and access to the Internet; electronic literary magazines…

DC Public Schools has adopted new learning standards for core subjects, including reading/English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The new standards show what students should know and be able to do: (1) in each subject; (2) at each grade level; and (3) in every school. Standards tell all students that they are expected to…

In 1995 the Virginia Board of Education adopted new Standards of Learning in four core subject areas: mathematics, science, English, and history and social science. The new standards set targets and expectations for what teachers need to teach and students need to learn. The requirement is designed to provide greater accountability on the part of…

After a new course in computer-aided writing was implemented at South Seattle Community College (SSCC), in Washington, a group of instructors met to evaluate the possibility of applying computer-aided instructional tools to the teaching of writing in College Transfer (CT) and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses at SSCC. For CT courses, the…

The report describes the components of the educational program provided by the Industrial Training Centers of the Training and Career Development Organization of ARAMCO (Arabian American Oil Company) in Saudi Arabia. ARAMCO provides in-house academic or job skills training to over 15,000 employees. Characteristics of the company's training program…

This general report presents findings of Manitoba's 1985 assessment of kindergarten English, French immersion, and heritage language programs. The report contains a description of classroom observations, and summaries of interviews with teachers and principals. Sections of the report focus on: (1) background to the assessment; (2) physical…

The second of a three-part series on computer-assisted instruction (CAI), this report focuses on the use of microcomputers in business education, English, social studies, foreign languages, bilingual education, and ESL (English as a Second Language). Since all these areas involve writing, a discussion of word processors and word processing…

In spring 1984, an interdisciplinary course on the history and literature of man's voyages and relationship with the sea was introduced at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (JSRCC). The course was team taught from the perspectives of the social sciences and English departments, incorporating fiction and non-fiction sources related to…

A review of the status of English language instruction in Kuwait begins with an overview of the role of English in the society in general, and outlines the status of English use and instruction in the educational system in secondary, higher, vocational, adult, and teacher education. Also discussed are characteristics and training of English…

Information on current trends and issues in English instruction, compiled by the directors of six National Council of Teachers of English commissions, is presented in this report, the fifth annual trends and issues report by the commissions. The commissions and their directors are as follows: (1) Commission on Language (James Stalker); (2)…

Designed primarily for English faculty at two-year colleges in California, "Inside English" includes articles on major instructional, curricular, administrative, and employment issues of concern to teachers in the field as well as information on the activities of the English Council of the California Two-Year Colleges (ECCTYC). The December 1975…

This yearbook analyzes present concerns and controversies in the teaching of English and summarizes what has been learned during the three decades of curriculum reform, since the last yearbook that dealt with the teaching of English. Separately authored chapters discuss language and the nature of learning, developing power and expressiveness in…

Ways that computer assisted instruction (CAI) can be useful in teaching English at upperclass and graduate levels are considered, with illustrations from PLATO lessons that have been composed and programmed. One lesson takes advantage of PLATO's graphic design capabilities, which enabled the teacher to design the runic figures and to show them in…