Suggests that the analysis of literature leads to an increased understanding of the environment in which we live. (RB)

Argues that English teachers are not asking the most important questions about a piece of literature, suggesting that they are ducking the issues that are specifically political. (RB)

Discusses the problems and possibilities inherent in teaching discussion and argumentation as a craft. (Author/RB)

Summarizes a study of 13-year-olds' expectations about the ways in which stories will end, and their ideas about what makes a "good" ending. (AA)

Describes a special four-week English course designed to ease the transition from the fifth form to the more intensive, specialized courses of the sixth form. (AA)

Offers an interview between Bethan Marshall, a Lecturer in Education at King's College, London, and Dylan Wiliam, a Professor of Assessment in the Department of Education at King's College. Notes that he has been involved in work on assessment, both in research and government policy, for many years. Explores the findings of his research and its…

Argues that the teaching of poetry teaches sequential comprehension, the process of reading and rereading a poem by making sense of connected images, metaphors, or conceits. Investigates the question of how poetry should be dealt with in the schools to make good use of its specialness. (TB)

Considers the current debates regarding the teaching of reading. Outlines the general failure to understand the nature of literacy, the complexity of educational issues, and the lack of public language for discussing such issues. Provides an accessible explanation of current reading methods for parents. (HB)

Shows how the Genre Teaching Methods from Australia can be adapted to literature study in secondary English classrooms. Finds that the genres of Narrating, Describing, Explaining, and Arguing can be used to analyze specific features of literature analysis--plot, character, setting, theme, and style. Finds that modeling texts and providing…

The Commission Two report, one of a series of conference reports of the National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE), is concerned with children's language development at the primary stage and the teaching of language. (RB)

The Commission Four report, one of a series of conference reports of the National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE), is concerned with the developing language needs of the whole younger generation from preschool to adult life. (RB)

Examines the views of Marshall McLuhan for their relevance to English teachers wishing to develop a media oriented curriculum. (RB)

Critically examines the theoretical and practical considerations involved in the setting up of a humanities interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong English component. (RB)

Draws on the work of students in several classes to argue that the best stimulus for creative writing involves a fusion of comprehension, note-taking, and discussion work to provide a ready-made thematic structure for students' work. (AA)