This paper addresses beginning level Spanish heritage language (SHL) learners' attitudes towards their language and culture. Heritage language (HL) programs and research have often overlooked beginning level learners, especially within university settings. The current study involved 20 participants from a beginning level SHL class in the…

This research is the result of time spent on school campuses, working in classrooms, observing lunch areas and student quads, and interviewing students. We tried to determine how or whether English learners had opportunities to learn with and from native English speakers, as well as whether both groups were aware of the presence of each other on…

This document presents the proceedings of the Annual Research Forum. Included herein are the following 29 studies: (1) What Factors Influence Algebra 1 Students' Attitudes toward Math? (Elizabeth A. Allen); (2) Low-Income Student and Teacher Impressions of Kagan Cooperative Learning (Andrea Anderson); (3) Developing and Implementing an Articulated…

This article describes the evolution of a confluent language program, which provides simultaneous processes for successful language learning, self awareness, self appreciation, and interpersonal communication. The confluent language curriculum design has been successfully implemented in language classes throughout the United States and in some…

Milwaukee, Wisconsin public school pupils in the 1976-1977 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title VII Bilingual/Bicultural Education Program varied in language dominance from monolingual English to various degrees of bilingualism to monolingual Spanish. The program goals suggest that the 594 elementary pupils will pursue their studies…

This report presents evaluation results of an Oklahoma City Public Schools bilingual and multicultural education program to increase achievement levels and improve multicultural attitudes among Spanish speaking elementary school children of limited English proficiency. Results of English and Spanish tests of language proficiency in kindergarten to…

This study investigated: (1) the causes and effects of Chinese students' beliefs about foreign language learning; (2) mismatches between teachers' and students' beliefs; and (3) how teachers' and students' beliefs compare across cultures. Subjects were 23 Chinese and English teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and 224 EFL university…

Two English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers looked at parent involvement and cultural traits of Hispanics to better incorporate local Hispanic families into their school system. The project took place at Chamberlain Elementary School in Goshen, Indiana, in 1998-99. The school enrolls about 314 students, of whom approximately 94 are from…

English for Academic Purposes literature is often criticized for its very functional interpretation of language (e.g. Benesch, 2001) which ignores the intellectual, cultural, and social side of learning in an attempt to appear "neutral." Furthermore, writing is the EAP skill area which seems to provide students with the most difficulty.…

This research report reflects the use of precision teaching techniques incorporated into a microcomputerized observational system to assess bilingual instructional practices and student outcomes. Three local educational agencies were monitored to assess the relationship between the demographic background of the student and the interactive profile…

Computer-assisted instructional (CAI) lessons were incorporated as instructional support for a one-semester course in occupational information for 122 eighth graders at a selected middle school in the Dallas, Texas, Independent School District to field-test five modules (fifteen color videotapes and fifteen CAI lessons) focusing on career…

The Milwaukee Bilingual Education Program has been guided by behavioral objectives related to desired pupil, staff, management, parent and community outcomes. The objectives were developed and revised mainly by curriculum supervisors. Frequent references are made to two publications, "Milwaukee Public Schools Bilingual Elementary Program…

This book overviews the process by which Mexican American children are socialized to the dominant Anglo American society and analyzes a 1973-76 study and 1983-86 follow-up of Mexican American college students regarding their knowledge of their own race and ethnicity and their attitudes toward the White race and culture. The chapters are: chapter…

In this paper, I discuss a network-based collaborative project that focused on the learning conditions non-native speakers (NNSs) of Spanish perceived to be necessary to satisfactoraly communicate with native speakers (NSs). Data from online discussions, end-of-semester surveys, and final oral interviews are presented and discussed. The results of…

This article reports classroom research on learners' perspectives on Web-based instruction that utilizes the "Blackboard" course management system. The Web-based instruction aims to provide and support collaborative learning while fostering learners' autonomy and accountability. The article also provides a description of the course…