Suggests activities for teaching proverbs, an important part of the cultural education of second language learners. Activities include identifying proverbs in common discourse, creating skits and cartoons or pictures based on them, creating puzzles, inventing original proverbs, and analyzing their practical value. (MSE)

Argues that proverbs play an important role in the continuing development and survival of Africans and African descendants throughout the diaspora. Analyzes research of proverb studies conducted in Africa, the Caribbean, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. Provides recommendations for further research. (KH)

Discusses how proverbs provide insight into the nature of socio-logic as a body of principles to guide practical reasoning. English language proverbs reflect many of the rational principles found in argumentation textbooks, including: 1) a typology of arguments, 2) rules of correct inference, and 3) cautions about potential fallacies. (JMF)

A proverb explanation task consisting of 24 low-familiarity expressions was administered to 353 individuals (ages 13-79) to examine how patterns of language growth in adults compared to those observed in adolescents. Results indicate performance improved markedly during adolescence and into early adulthood, and then began to decline during the…

Uses proverbs to facilitate the development of inferential reading skills. Provides examples of proverbs which children have finished with their own original endings. (MG)

Young discusses three functions of the Hawaiian family--environment, nourishment, and family relationships--using chants, proverbs, stories, oral histories, and readings as illustrations. Azevedo describes families in Brazil, where the extended patriarchy was predominant, but simple family models have prevailed among poor people and in the south.…

As an instructor of a multinational class, the author's challenge as a teacher was not the language but how to capitalize on the wealth of cultural diversity and keep the structure of the Group Dynamics course flexible and responsive. In this article, the author describes an exercise entitled "How Do I Know Thee: A Two-Part Program for Teachers…

As an Old Testament professor, I struggled with how to teach the Book of Proverbs and the genre of Wisdom Literature in general to my seminary students. As I read and re-read Proverbs, however, I saw it contained many character stereotypes. It is a very contemporary book, for it shows the qualities that contribute to success or failure in life…

This booklet consists of approximately 50 motivational instructional strategies identified and used by educators in adult high schools. Strategies include the use of humor by teachers; an emphasis on student autonomy, responsibility, and collaboration; and self-analysis of work. Specific ideas include involving students in activities, making…

There are certain pre-coded (formulaic) utterances conventionally triggered by certain communication situations, and their use is expected and deemed appropriate because they are seen as part of everyday politeness formulas. Lack of an English equivalent indicates cultural differences governing their use. Some routines are taught explicitly and…

The illustrated book tells the story of a woodcutter, his son, and their donkey. Written in Spanish, the story tells how one day after cutting and selling the wood, the woodcutter, who was very tired, decided to ride the donkey back home. On the way, they met some young girls who thought the woodcutter was very mean for making his son walk while…

Collected and studied personal messages which were reported to exert a powerful influence on the course of people's lives. Explored the relationship between memorable messages and proverbs. (PD)

Describes the use of the proverb "a watched pot never boils" to help students make the relationship between literal statements and the reader's own experience. (MKM)

Demonstrates the value of proverbs in developing the cross-linguistic understanding of professionals involved in intercultural situations. It is proposed that proverbs can provide insight into the symbol systems of English, Malay, and Arab cultures. (17 references) (Author/CK)