Investigates whether English teachers and teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) rate writing samples differently using both holistic (global) and analytical (multiple trait) scoring methods. Findings suggest that the analytical scoring method may be more faithful to real dissimilarities existing between these two groups than is the…

Examines syntactic choices available to journal article writers for making reporting statements and the conditions governing such choices. The article investigates the way in which the choice of theme affects the syntactic form of the reports. The resulting syntactic forms are shown to be associated with the function of reports in their contexts.…

Examines the research needs relative to the use of foreign languages in tourism activities in Australia and New Zealand. Findings indicate a lack of precise information on the ways in which the tourism industry in these countries provides appropriate language assistance to non-English speaking inbound visitors. Suggestions for future research are…

Discusses the attitudes of students concerning the benefit of Year 12 foreign language courses to the development of their oral and aural proficiency in the target language, i.e., French. While most students felt that their ability to speak and understand spoken French had improved as a result of the course, some expressed dissatisfaction with…

Examines some aspects of English and Lebanese-Arabic adult responses to child answers, exploring the way the use of preferred communication strategies reflects culturally based assumptions about learning and guiding learning. The article argues that adults who regularly deal with young children develop preferred interactive strategies deriving…

Examines the use of cohesive conjunctions by student writers in Hong Kong to ascertain how it differs from native speaker use, to gauge the extent to which teaching, textbooks and transfer are influential, and to analyze the extent of misuse and unnecessary use. The article makes suggestions for teaching implications and further research. (18…

Analysis of participant perception suggests that interprofessional shared learning will be meaningful if professional representation and status are balanced, groups are not too large, knowledge and experience are similar, all relevant agencies are present, all participants are active, learning outcomes are specific, pre-course information is…

Because working nurses found it impossible to take time off to become professionally qualified, Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology (Scotland) converted its conventionally taught course into a distance course with six self-contained modules, each covering two or three subject areas and lasting four or five weeks. Describes the conversion…

Since the 1988 Education Reform Act, Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology (Gloscat) in England has lost the bulk of its higher education provision and become a smaller, poorer, and largely vocational provider. This paper presents a case study of Gloscat's response to local changes and the need for competence-based curriculum. Reviews the…

Undergraduate technology and business students at the Polytechnic of Wales (United Kingdom) participated in multi-disciplinary team projects to experience real life business challenges and develop competences that employers expect in professionals. Lists characteristics of successful multi-disciplinary projects, discusses cost and industry…

The Quality Competence Acquisition Model is a means to deliver and measure competence in vocational education and training that integrates learning, institutional management, and quality assurance. Introduces the model, discusses issues of staff, institutional, and curriculum development, and presents a case study of a competence-based program…

A workshop at Suffolk College (United Kingdom) explored how student services met institutional objectives and how they facilitated the development of competent learners. Concluded that for student services to become integrated within the institution, student competences must be identified that can be taught through student services. Presents…

Discusses how students can be motivated by clear expectations, feedback, rewards, praise, grading, and the categorization of goals. Highlights Maslow's hierarchy of needs and its application to motivation. Summarizes motivational techniques used at two universities and one business: role playing in teacher training for secondary physical…

To give students practical experience in professional engineering, final year students at Nottingham Polytechnic (United Kingdom) proctor (assist) groups of first and second year engineering students and local school students in completing projects. Outlines the aims and objectives of the proctoring program and its assessment procedure: a report…

Community enterprise projects link higher education students with the not-for-profit community and provide opportunities to acquire skills and competences not available in commercial experiences. Outlines personal and academic benefits to students, highlights benefits to communities and volunteer groups, and discusses competence assessment…