Three similar experiments were conducted to assess language variation and politeness in the speech of English monolingual and Spanish-English bilingual children, and in Armenian children learning English as a second language. Each experiment elicited request strategies from the children with the use of puppets in a structured conversation. While…

A study was conducted to supply data on the characteristics of young adult Chicanos compared with their Anglo peers. A stratified random sample of undergraduate Mexican-American (N=153) and Anglo (N=148) students was taken at the University of Texas, El Paso, where one third of the students enrolled have a Spanish surname. A self-devised…

This paper focuses on acquainting bilingual educators with one field of special education called learning disabilities. The major dimensions that are discussed are: the learning process with focus on disruptions, the considerations involved in the identification and assessment of learning disabilities, cultural and learning style differences of…

This article draws on data collected during a year-long ethnographic study of six Spanish-dominant English language learners, enrolled in both English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and Spanish Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) "pull-out" programs, in an English kindergarten classroom. The study is based on a theoretical framework that…

The primary purpose of this study was the naturalistic assessment of growth in oral English proficiency of Hispanic American limited English proficient (LEP) students in a paired reciprocal learning format. Subjects were fifth-grade students in a summer English-as-a-Second-Language class. Twelve students in a paired learning format and 12 in a…

A literature review and analysis, and a case study of two "mainstream" student teachers working in a minority elementary school explored how teacher education prepares teachers to work in diverse settings. The literature review and analysis addressed both macro level issues (program policies) and micro level initiatives (specific studies…

This paper examines the process of selecting, evaluating, integrating, and cataloging multicultural texts for school libraries. the first part examines the selection and evaluation of culturally authentic texts. Seven sources for locating multicultural literature and several reviewing sources are listed. The following criteria for evaluating…

Use of a directed creative writing exercise to assess intermediate language students' skills is discussed. The technique was developed for second-year college Spanish instruction as an alternative to conventional writing tests in which anxiety or lack of motivation may inhibit performance. Differences in the nature of language skills (listening,…

The report describes the rationale for and history of an exchange program for Nuevo Leon (Mexico) and New Mexico bilingual education teachers. The program evolved from the need to help Spanish-speaking students maintain their own language and culture while in the United States. New Mexico's state policy concerning language-minority children and…

An Evergreen State College (WA) community outreach program was designed to serve the dual purposes of providing (1) needed English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction to Hispanic community members, and (2) teaching experience for students in a master's program in education. An ESL laboratory was established, about 25 undergraduate and graduate…

This curriculum guide outlines Prince George's County (MD) schools' seventh and eighth grade program of exploratory foreign language. Topics presented include: administrative and instructional policy statements; course overview; notes on concepts, skills, and content; timetables for fall and spring semester courses; rationale and goals; student…

The evolution and activities of the Allegheny Foreign Language Association (AFLA) are described in the context of the organization of foreign language education in the area and the attitudes of the professionals involved. Foreign language instruction in Allegheny County includes: Pittsburgh public school programs, including elementary magnet…

A foreign language segment was integrated into the exploratory curriculum of the sixth grade in Marion, Indiana's middle schools. The overall course offers nine-week segments in home economics, industrial arts, computer literacy, and foreign language, introducing the children to curricular areas they may select later in middle school. In the…

When asked by the business department for a language component for its new area of concentration in international business, the modern language department of a small liberal arts college capitalized on a recently devised competence-based curriculum. The curriculum, established in the college's general education curriculum as an alternate track to…

A comparison of the salient characteristics of Canadian and United States bilingual education programs suggests various settings where it would be desirable to introduce children to schooling in their home language. These settings include: (1) the various ethnic communities in the United States, (2) multilingual developing countries, (3) parts of…