The improvement of language skills and intercultural understanding among Australians for the purpose of increasing their country's ability to develop a strong export economy is explored. It is argued that a formidable language teaching system in education is vital to the strengthening of Australia's international reputation in world markets.…

Research in the areas of friendship selection, interracial acceptance, interracial contact, and interracial dating was reviewed to determine the nature of intergroup relations for White, Hispanic, and Black adolescents. The findings indicate that Black, White and Hispanic adolescents prefer same-race friends. When cross-race friendships occur in…

American educational institutions have used the literature of a few Anglo men to represent American literature. The problem of this one-sided presentation was alleviated somewhat during the 1960s when publishers began to offer some works of ethnic writers, especially for elementary school children. This was the result of influence by the civil…

A research study funded by Georgia State Univensity described the ideological and social changes in Atlanta which were a result of the growth of diverse ethnic groups in the city. Particular emphasis was given to unskilled and unemployed Latin Americans (70% Cuban) who immigrated because of political or economic upheavals in their native…

The rhetoric teacher's aim is to make the native English speaker cognizant of the thought processes he or she has been taught to use by the culture. This approach does not work with foreign students because perception, imputation of meaning, and construction of reality appear to be bound by the logic and grammar of the language we speak. The…

American expatriates, particularly those in business who are assigned abroad, often learn very little of the language and culture of the countries to which they are assigned. Some explanations of this phenomenon are offered based on observation of two U.S. communities in Tripoli, Libya, and Medan (Sumatra) from 1965 to 1973. First, the needs for…

Using Hawaii as an example, this framework for studying a culture focuses on understanding how people solve the problems of living. Intended for elementary school students, the guide is presented in three chapters. Chapter I defines goals and methods of cultural studies. Five concepts that students should understand are that we are all born into…

This is the third edition of a bibliography prepared in response to concern over inaccurate and inadequate representation of ethnic groups in instructional material. It is divided into four sections with commentary preceding the listings of books and journal articles pertinent to particular topics. In the first section, A Rationale for a…

A series of activities to help junior high school students understand that common barriers to communication are cultural differences, ethnocentrism, prejudice, and misinterpretation. (Author/AV)

Although significant research on child development has been undertaken in the Third World, Euro-American paradigmatic limitations have prevented policymakers from applying the knowledge gained to child development programs there. Several suggestions are made for altering the situation. (PS)

Notes the problematical elements of diversity within Latin America, establishes priorities for the social studies curriculum, and reviews what should be taught about its geography, resources, people, religion, customs, economics, politics, history, and international relationships. Lists Latin American Studies programs and published instructional…

Reviews the shortcomings of existing textbooks' treatments of the Middle East and suggests a more balanced approach. The areas covered are: geography, resources, people, economics, politics, colonialism, independence movements, international relations, and religions and customs. Identifies instructional resources for teachers and students. (JDH)

Explores the differences between educational and socio-political values. Maintains that the task of education is not wholly exhausted by the demands of government or prevailing society. Proceeds to consider the aims of multicultural education from a purely rational, culture-free, perspective. (JDH)

Comparative education can deepen understanding of our own education and society, be of assistance to policymakers and administrators, and form a most valuable part of teacher education. Like all applied fields, however, it is open to potential abuse by those who would use its results to support--or oppose--specific change programs. (BRR)

Challenges the view of Chinese and Japanese Americans as middlemen with its assumptions that Asian Americans are sojourners and unassimilable. Questions the equation of a middle class minority with a middleman minority, examining the roots of this myth in the relationship of Asian Americans to the White-Black racial dyad. (RDN)