Develops a critique of the "special diglossia" idea: the notion that Navajos speak Navajo but read and write English. Describes uses for English and Navajo literacy in one community on the Navajo reservation. Applies concepts such as institution, ideology, power, and empowerment to these uses. (JS)

Presents the results of a study of Francophone pupils in the French schools of Windsor, Ontario. The article gives examples of nonstandard features pervading students' French vocabulary and syntax and concludes that a hybrid vernacular may be emerging as a result of the Canadian sociolinguistic situation, creating a challenge to the teaching of…

This paper describes Welsh-English bilingualism in compulsory (5-16) and noncompulsory education in Wales, in bilingual (Welsh medium) and ordinary (Welsh as a subject only) schools, and in society and the media. The historical and sociological context is presented, as well as government policies, past and present. (Contains one reference.) (JL)

A discussion of language policy formation and planning in Namibia focuses on the policy document of the liberation movement calling for constitutional rights for its local languages. It covers the language policy, evolution of the policy, the role of English and the local languages, and nation building through diversity. (Contains 58 references.)…

Argues that the belief that black English is bad English or ungrammatical is inconsistent with empirical linguistic evidence to the contrary and discusses some of the sociolinguistic, educational, and political aspects of the debate over the role of black English in educational settings. (34 references) (MDM)

This study examined transformations in educational discourse in the context of history lessons at a Hungarian secondary school with an English immersion program. It provides a contextualized analysis of classroom discourse practices by examining some of the sociocultural, linguistic, and academic knowledge structures that are integral to and…

Relationships between language, literacy, and school learning are investigated in a case study of a first grader. Examination of his journal-writing during a school year focuses on a two-month period in which he wrote almost exclusively about superheroes. An individual approach to sociolinguistic research on childhood learning is advocated. (48…

This study examined the perceived ethnolinguistic vitality of Anglo-Australian and Vietnamese-Australian ethnic groups in Brisbane as measured by the modified Subjective Vitality Questionnaire (SVQ). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the applicability of the SVQ to both high and low vitality groups. (30 references)…

This article is one among a series of studies on the acquisition of patterns of linguistic variation observable in the speech of native speakers of Canadian French by French immersion (FI) students. The present study is centered on deletion of the central vowel schwa, a widespread feature of casual spoken French. In this study, FI students are…

In response to the American Association of Applied Linguistics' presentation of the Distinguished Scholarship and Service Award for extraordinary contributions to the fields of language learning, teaching, and testing in May 2004, Merrill Swain described her own work as "moving in cycles of research, theory and practice." These "spirals" ("cycles…

This paper explores curriculum evolution processes in relation to sociocultural considerations with respect to a (teacher-of-English-as-a-foreign-language) TEFL program conducted in Singapore for inservice (English-as-a-foreign-language) EFL trainee-teachers from the People's Republic of China (PRC). It reports on how curriculum evolution was…

The need to develop and encourage the use of local, national and official linguistic codes in Nigeria for both domestic and international usage cannot be overemphasised. In order to achieve a rapid political, economic and sociocultural change in the country, all academic and specialised institutions and corporate organisations in the local and…

This article examines the relationship between ethnic group affiliation (one's sense of belonging to a primary ethnic group) and second-language (L2) pronunciation accuracy defined here as native-like, nonaccented L2 speech or L2 speech that contains no first language (L1) influences. The study addressed these questions: (a) Is there a…

This National Profile has been prepared as the United States' participation in Phase I of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement's international study of language learning on the secondary level. It presents a complete outline of the state of foreign language learning in the United States from grades 1-12 for…

An analysis of literature on second language learning identifies four approaches in the literature, each of which can make a unique contribution to the understanding of the second language learning process, particularly as it pertains to limited-English-proficient students. The four approaches are explained and illustrated with examples from the…