Research has found that literacy in the first language of a student of English as a second language (ESL) aids in the acquisition of English, but there has been little exploration of the processes that underlie this. This pilot project investigates children's experiences of literacy in their first language (Hebrew), instruction in strategies…

The analogy of a tapestry is used to provide instructional techniques and practices to help teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) "weave" together environmental factors (classroom interaction, input) and learner cognitive, affective, and social characteristics (learning styles, strategies, motivation) according to the needs of the…

This booklet focuses on what African-American parents can do to provide their children with a firm foundation for educational success. African-American children sometimes do not do well in school because of the following factors: (1) poor self-image; (2) different learning styles; (3) low standards set by teachers and parents; and (4) poor…

Research recommendations concerning learning and development that are appropriate for research and development centers supported by the National Institute of Education (NIE) are offered to the director of NIE. Mission statements are presented on the following areas: literacy (reading, writing, and English skill development); learning and…

English instruction is successful when students learn to express significant ideas clearly in discussions, write with verve and grace, read with insight and enjoyment, and practice these skills beyond the realm of the classroom. This report discusses how to teach grammar and select literature in order to achieve those goals. Research and issues in…

This paper, intended for freshman English instructors who teach reading and writing to both native and non-native students, discusses basic differences and similarities affecting instruction for the two groups. For example, non-native linguistic differences encourage teachers to deal with syntactic interference in reading and with highly embedded…

The study design and interim findings of the study conducted to determine the impact of bilingual education on students in the cognitive and affective domains in a nationally representative sample of Spanish/English bilingual projects are presented. The results summarized reflect the pre-post test period of data collection of the academic year…

This document describes two third- and ninth-grade experimental centers which were established to develop language competence and academic motivation in disadvantaged students in Hartford. Evaluation of the ninth-grade "Higher Horizons 100" center is presented. Composed of six staff members, the center provided intensive small-group…

During the past decade, it has become fashionable to include an evaluation component with each new bilingual education program. The proliferation of empirical evaluation studies seems, however, not yet to have shed much light on very basic issues, such as the relationship between language of instruction and cognitive growth, academic achievement…

This achievement test booklet is designed to assist the teacher in determining the length of time pupils should spend in Level 1 of English as a second language, and to test proficiency in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Listening and speaking tests may be used in kindergarten through grade 12, reading and writing tests in…

About 2,200 immigrant children in Sweden were studied by means of tests and teacher questionnaires. The children, representing 36 nationalities, were born outside Sweden and were distributed over the nine grades of the Swedish Comprehensive School. Various functional language skills in Swedish as a second language (L2), nonverbal intelligence and…

The aim of this book is to provide a compromise between past and present theories of language teaching and learning. The book is organized into six main parts. In the first part, the author highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both the skills-based approach and the whole-language approach. He then presents a theory that emphasizes the…

A study compared the effectiveness of two methods of second language instruction, video-based and text-based, during one academic year of college-level French instruction. Experimental and control groups each had 14 subjects. Results showed some difference in achievement in listening, and little in reading, speaking, writing, or grammar. (MSE)

The Home Kit/Home Visit Program--designed for children needing reinforcement of basic concepts and knowledge of colors, shapes, numbers, letter recognition, and letter-sound correspondence--is proving successful in encouraging parent involvement in first-graders' learning of basic skills. Parents are provided with home learning kits to guide their…

Examines the interactive potential for teaching four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) in the context of what is available across a range of multimedia technologies, from CD-ROMs to the World Wide Web. Identifies three levels of interactivity in the multimedia environment and notes the advantages that multimedia…