To gather information to assist policy makers, curriculum designers, and classroom teachers in planning and delivering language and reading instruction that will promote success in school of children from complex language backgrounds, a 6-year longitudinal investigation begun in 1978 tracked approximately 250 Spanish-speaking children from low…

Results of a study of the efficacy of foreign language instruction at the elementary school level are presented. The study provides new information permitting comparison of three program types--Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES), partial immersion, and immersion--currently used in schools in the United States. The results are based…

These two issues of the bulletin of English for Special Purposes in the Middle East and North Africa (ESPMENA) include book reviews, notices to the profession, and these articles: "Verb Frequencies in a Forestry Textbook" (Yu Xiaoyuan); "X Equals NX One Plus MX Two Over M Plus N" (E. Arnold); "A Note on Research in an EAP [English for Academic…

Acknowledging that one of the most difficult challenges postsecondary educators must face is the maintenance of adequate student enrollment, this paper describes the creation of a speech communication laboratory as one component of a university-wide effort to maximize student retention. The paper first discusses several suggestions researchers…

To translate the recent research in writing and oral communication into useful suggestions for classroom practice, to focus on ways teachers can help their students grow as writers and speakers, and to stress activities that do not isolate the language arts into units and sever skills from content learning, the articles in this book were prepared…

Designed to develop an appreciation of folktales as a literary type and a love for the oral tradition, this unit on the telling of folktales from the oral tradition, with an emphasis on Appalachian tales, can be adapted for use as an introduction to the study of the short story; to begin a study of regional writers or regional literature; to…

This publication lists skill expectations in ten curriculum areas for grades 1-9. Although intended to be used by educators in Michigan, the skill list can be used or adapted by educators in other states. The ten curriculum areas are: communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening); health education; mathematics; music; physical…

In this detailed survey of the English offerings of a private secondary school for girls, each grade is divided into semester or smaller thematic units. For each of these units, an overview/rationale is followed by a book list and description of how the unit's activities will help the student develop specific skills in the areas of reading,…

Unit eight of a language arts curriculum for Spanish-speaking students in grade three presents learning and assessment activities focusing on communities in the nation and addressing the elements, wants and needs, change occurrences, and the results of change. The guide lists focus, objective, and materials for each activity in English and…

The student's kit and teacher's manual provide a framework for secondary students to simulate the functionings of Georgia's General Assembly. Objectives of the simulation are to help students: (1) experience the forces and conflicts involved in lawmaking, (2) learn about the role of legislators, (3) understand and discuss issues facing citizens,…

This paper discusses a systematic strategy for developing oral skills from situational readings in a first year foreign language course. Aspects considered are: sequencing readings into the course, grammar component, vocabulary component, student preparation, outline of two day instructional treatments, the role of the teacher, and student…

A description is presented of forty classroom-tested activities for motivating students to practice listening comprehension and speaking skills in any foreign language. Some of the activities include practical suggestions and follow-up activities. All the activities are preceded by a statement of purpose, categorized by proficiency levels…

Adapting sociolinguistic fieldwork techniques for use in teaching a second language is presented as an activity that gets students out of the classroom and into the speech community to observe and use language in real situations. It is intended for intermediate and advanced students who need motivation and encouragement to interact with native…

Course descriptions, achievement levels, objectives, suggested required and supplementary materials, course outlines, time allotments, suggested teaching approaches, film and book lists, and bibliographies for teachers are provided for each of 25 elective English courses which are phased on five levels for high school juniors and seniors. Each…

The author ranks speaking as the first priority and major educational objective in the study of Russian. It is felt that inadequate training in the oral skills in high school leads to an increased mortality rate in college programs. To combat this, general remarks on teaching techniques which would encourage students to continue their study of the…