Cognitive neuroscientific research proposes complementary hemispheric asymmetries in naming and recognising visual objects, with a left temporal lobe advantage for object naming and a right temporal lobe advantage for object recognition. Specifically, it has been proposed that the left inferior temporal lobe plays a mediational role linking…

The four essays in this book are concerned with the cultural consequences of literacy in that they demonstrate that some forms of competence, highly valued in society, developed in large part as an unintended consequence of the Greek alphabetic writing system. The first essay, entitled "Spoken Sound and Inscribed Sign," discusses the…

This paper attempts to answer the question of what life was really like in ancient Rome, with a view to using this kind of information as cultural background for teaching Latin language and literature. There were many problems associated with daily living in ancient Rome. Writings of some inhabitants of ancient Rome attest to the fact that these…

This volume contains the reports of the task forces assigned to advise the President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies. Task forces were formed in the following areas: Institutional Language Policy, Commonly Taught Languages, Less Commonly Taught Languages, Public Awareness, and Government Relations. The longest report,…

This article reports the results of a survey, funded by the American Classical League (ACL) and conducted during 1990-91, that assessed attitudes toward high school foreign-language study, in particular the study of Latin and Greek, in the college admissions process. (21 references) (VWL)

This study investigated the effectiveness of using a computer program over six weeks to teach high school students to use Latin and Greek root words for deciphering English terms in order to increase their scores on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Results indicated that knowledge of Latin and Greek root words improved students'…

Reports data collected by supervised student investigators on learners' use of strategies in organizing words when learning English as a Second Language. Results proved that word grouping was a worthwhile study. A second study investigated word organization strategies of secondary school students given a list of 50 words. (33 references)…

A project was begun in 1973 in the Indianapolis Public School system based on the hypothesis that English language skills and the control of syntactic structures can be measurably improved through participation in a specially designed Latin FLES program stressing the importance of Latin root words. Goals of the project were to assess whether or…

Examines how structural change in the international system during the past 150 years affected the rise and decline of language courses in the curriculum. Data analysis showed rapid decline of classical languages and increased study of national languages and modern foreign languages. Maintains that the rearrangement of hegemonic powers has a strong…

Reviews trends in second-language instruction in England during the late 1800s. Maintains that classical languages were considered "boy's subjects," whereas modern languages were taught to girls. Asserts that educational reform of both all education resulted in the redefinition of modern languages as curricular subjects. (CFR)

This article examines the linguistic benefits of Latin in light of recent research which seems to document the relevance of Latin in building English vocabulary and reading skills. Evidence is cited from eight educational projects in which an experimental group of students taking Latin, and a control group not taking Latin, were pretested,…

Works by European and American educators from the Renaissance to the twentieth century are presented. A historical re-evaluation of foreign-language teaching combined with the scientific approach of modern linguistics can provide valuable insights for current teaching and learning approaches. Selections are presented from the writings of the…

A Latin Pilot Study was initiated by the Alexandria City Schools in the school year 1972-73 and continued in 1973-74 in an attempt to increase the English reading skills of elementary students. It was proposed that Latin instruction with strong emphasis on relating English words to their Latin roots and affixes would strengthen reading skills, in…

A survey investigated the attitudes of educated Greeks about possible modifications in the orthographic representation of written Greek. Subjects were 82 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program in English Language and Literature offered at the University of Cyprus. The subjects were administered a 20-item Likert-type questionnaire…

This document is the syllabus of a Latin course developed by the Indianapolis Public Schools for elementary school children, based on the Latin FLES materials of the Philadelphia Public Schools. The program is based on the theory that the study of a second language will increase the student's understanding and control of his native tongue. The…