Two of the original authors of "Giving a Virtual Voice to the Silent Language of Culture: The Cultura Project", published in "Language Learning & Technology" in 2001, look back on the origin of the Cultura project, its goals, and the approach and materials used. Their commentary then focuses on the features and the…

This article offers a response to the comments and claims made in Jennifer Jenkins' article, "The spread of English as an International Language: a testing time for testers." It examines some assumptions underpinning her views and responds to claims about current policy and practice in English language testing. It goes on to explain the key…

Early Russian religious and educational influences on the 20 various Alaskan Native languages are described, followed by those of American origin in schools and religious groups after the American purchase in 1867, all of which show the development of diglossia and language shifts. The present dual educational system, which includes state schools…

A teacher of Black American literature may be overwhelmed by the amount of material that should be covered. Black American literature has origins in African, European, American Indian, and Black American features. Students should be able to read works of Black American literature that show how other people feel. A complete course can give students…

For over twenty years, Tim Cahill's writing has appeared in popular publications such as "Outside" and "Rolling Stone," and in many academic contexts, ranging from remedial and freshman composition textbooks to the use of his novels and short story collections in a variety of upper division literary courses. Cahill, then, is a…

A study in which the ability of Peruvian teachers of English as a Second Language to simplify their own use of English appropriately for classroom use was examined, is discussed. It is noted that the study provides new data and has implications for future research on classroom language. It supports prior work on teacher talk and implies that…

In Zimbabwe, university students continue to have problems with scientific communication despite the fact that English is a widely-used second language and students have received most formal science instruction in English. However, the problems differ from those of both students of English as a foreign language and students studying their first…

Discussion of the establishment of a single language for Europe's many countries and cultures focuses on the debate over English versus Esperanto as the language of choice. It is argued that the notion that language has not been a major barrier to intellectual exchange is a myth. In addition, while the main European political institutions support…

The paper, prepared as a background paper for a larger project on adult English as a Second Language (ESL), discusses a variety of issues and challenges in improving adult ESL services in the United States. An introductory section offers an overview of demographic and educational factors affecting the education of limited-English-proficient (LEP)…

Although research on bilingualism in the schools shows the importance of measuring both English and Spanish language skills regularly, the testing of Spanish falls behind in both quality and frequency. Concerted multidisciplinary cooperation among bilingual educators, linguists, and psychometricians is now needed to produce a variety of valid…

A discussion of bilingualism in Australia begins with examination of the climate there for development of bilingualism, including specific supportive policies at both state and federal levels, increasing support for bilingualism within local communities, research providing evidence of the benefits of bilingualism, and technological developments…

In 1992, a communications researcher had the opportunity to spend seven months as a visiting professor at the University of Haifa in Israel. From the standpoint of an observer of media coverage, the timing and location of her stay was fortuitous. Israelis were conducting an election off schedule, and at the same time the United States was…

A discussion of authentic materials for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction focuses on the necessary balance between authenticity and comprehensibility. A variety of definitions of authentic materials offered in the literature are considered, and then compared with published ESL materials that are claimed to be authentic. A new…

This monograph explores the concept and practice of college and university outreach through faculty professional service, in which faculty help both meet societal needs and fulfill their institution's mission through work based on their scholarly expertise. It points out that professional service by faculty can become a source of innovation and…

Computer networking has made many new activities available to language learners. While these innovations are practical, they are also grounded in theory and justifiable on sound principles of language learning. Computers make possible classroom activities maximizing the benefit drawn from complex and otherwise unmanageable communicative…