Proposes a framework for integrating sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic, and linguistic aspects of research on second language acquisition, encompassing five levels in a learner's conversion of input to output: apperceived input, comprehended input, intake, integration, and output. (Author/CB)

The article develops two theses: Approaches to education must acknowledge the role language plays in constructing the classroom environment; the commitment to equal education is linked to the sociolinguistic context of our educational system. Recent topical research is reviewed. (JL)

Examines language use in school contexts to address the relationship between power as a feature of social structure and power as an interactional process (the macro-micro issue in sociology). Illustrates the way in which political, economic, and legal considerations exert constraining influence on social interaction. (MM)

A study of attitudes toward bilingualism among a national sample of persons of Mexican descent indicated that politically framed ethnic identity fosters positive views of bilingualism. Traditional self-conceptions as Mexican and Spanish-speaking directly encourage support of bilingualism but at the same time engage conservative political attitudes…

Presents two views on recognizing English as the official language of the U.S. Proponents say it will help immigrants advance themselves and will bind Americans together. Critics argue that the amendment does not increase English proficiency but punishes those who have not learned; it also heightens racism and xenophobia. (LHW)

Discusses the problems encountered in defining a language minority. Lists four basic criteria common to all language minorities: (1) self-categorization; (2) common descent; (3) distinctive linguistic, cultural, or historical traits related to language; and (4) social organization which places the group in a minority position. (SED)

Describes three experiments that show that when requesting information, speakers estimate the greatest potential obstacles to compliance and try to overcome them through their choice of indirect, or conditional, requests. In selecting their request, speakers in most situations try to pinpoint the obstacles as specifically as they can. (SED)

Examines the interaction of teachers and learners in their various activities along a continuum that extends from instructional to natural discourses and is determined by the way participants present themselves to one another and negotiate turns-at-talk, topics, and repairs. Suggests ways to broaden and diversify discourse options in the…

Examines the nonstandard constructions in Caipira Portuguese, a dialect spoken in southeastern Brazil, which illustrate a tendency to reduce morphological redundancy at the noun phrase level. This is accomplished by restricting plural markers to only one of the elements of the noun phrase--not the noun, as might be expected, but, rather, one its…

Suggests a more literal definition of "classroom management" in reference to the role of the teacher. By focusing on the three overlapping and interacting sets of responsibilities carried by the manager--to the task, to the group, and to the individual--this approach attempts to put into perspective the multiple functions played by the teacher.…

Analysis of the acquisition of French as a second language in a situation where it is a minority language, as in Ontario, shows how acquisition and learning can be combined, and how the study of such a sociolinguistic situation seems necessary to the development of appropriate teaching methods. (MSE)

Recent research on native speakers' reactions to nonnative speech that views listeners, speakers, and language from a variety of perspectives using both objective and subjective research paradigms is reviewed. Studies of error gravity, relative intelligibility of language samples, the role of accent, speakers' characteristics, and context in which…

Considers the acquisition of native language and foreign language as complementary aspects of one basic cognitive-affective schema, interacting and conflicting with each other in a variety of ways. In addition, an illumination of the psychological processes impinging on one can shed light, in a reciprocal way, on the other. (SL)

Attempts to characterize the process of first language acquisition by children. Suggests that language learning involves the acquisition of both language knowledge and language behavior, hence of the internalized representations underlying linguistic competence and also the ability to deploy this knowledge in interpreting and speaking the language…

Examines ways to overcome the skills approach to reading instruction. Shows how to adapt typical skills lessons for use as strategy lessons based on a socio- and psycholinguistic model of reading. Presents two adapatations of skills lessons. (FL)