Abstract
This paper discusses the benefits of teaching infants a foreign language. It begins by discussing the prevalence of bi or tri-lingualism in the world. It then discusses if it is beneficial to know a foreign language. The paper goes on to discuss the advantages of specifically learning the foreign language while still young, particularly focusing on the cognitive effects on the brain.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Knowing a Foreign Language
Advantages Knowing a Foreign Language
Learning a Foreign Language While Young
Cognitive Effects to the Brain
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Teaching an infant with a foreign language may be a hard task. This entails perseverance and strong commitment from the teacher (or the parent). This will also require full understanding, not only of the language itself, but also of the needs of the infant. But this task is beneficial and will prove to be very useful as the infant grown old.
However, it should be noted that the success of teaching an infant to learn a foreign language lies on the hand of the educators. To them lies the secret of successfully teaching the child of their second language. If they know how to treat and teach a child (of barely less that 5 years of age, or even less), then it will not be a difficult task for the child to adopt very well on the said foreign language. It somehow goes like this... an educator, or the parents for that matter, initially teaches the child with the second language... and then the child will do the rest."

Tags:cognitive, bilingual, immigrant

Abstract
Infants and very small children are extremely receptive of almost all forms of learning. For many years, it was the practice to begin foreign language training at the high school level. However, research suggests that children who begin bilingual education at the pre-school level are the most effective language learners. This paper explains that the myths of dual language acquisition have largely been found to be false: learning more than one language does not lead to confusion or disorders in the learner. The paper also discusses the benefits that occur when bilingual education is begun at a very early age.

Tags:bilingual, language, teach

Abstract
This paper takes an in-depth look at the use of information computer technologies (ICT) as a tool for teaching foreign languages, focusing specifically on English and Arabic. The purpose of this study is to determine how ICT resources are currently being used in secondary classrooms in the United Kingdom and Egypt to determine how these can be better used for language education applications. The study proposes to accomplish this goal through a critical review of the relevant and scholarly literature, together with a statistical analysis of grade point averages before and after ICT initiatives were used, as well as a qualitative and quantitative survey of the secondary students in three secondary schools each located in Egypt and the UK.

Table of Contents
Abstract
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Research Questions
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Definition of Terms
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3: Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-Gathering Method and Database of Study
Population

From the Paper
"Information and communications technologies have changed the way people all over the world go about learning and earning their livings in many ways, and these same innovations have also provided new opportunities for communicating and participating in a country's social and civic life (Lonergan, 2000). In this regard, Eamon (2004) points to the numerous examples of daily newspapers, research, and government and private information on a variety of important social and civic topics being increasingly available in online formats and the computer and Internet technologies that provide a variety of communication methods such as electronic-mail, instant messages, listserves, and chatrooms. Clearly, a lack of access to such ICT resources places young learners in any setting at an educational and social disadvantage compared to those who do have such access, but simply providing access to ICT-based resources is not sufficient, but rather requires a broad-based approach that recognizes the unique needs and capabilities of a given set of students (Eamon, 2004). "

Tags:education, international, community, global, market, Computer-assisted, language, learning, dsl, literacy, language

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the negative consequences to Americans and American society suffered as a result of minimal foreign language skills. The paper compares the minimal emphasis that the American educational system places on learning a foreign language to the much stronger emphasis placed on learning a foreign language in virtually all other countries and then explains why the American educational system would be wise to implement better foreign language programs and promote the acquisition of a foreign language.

From the Paper
"The world has about 6,000 different languages, give or take a few. Linguists predict that at least half of those may have disappeared by the year 2050, which means languages are becoming extinct at twice the rate of endangered animals and four times the rate of endangered birds. Predictions are that a dozen languages may dominate the world of the future at best. (Ostler, 2002) For Americans, that's probably a good thing, since we are seemingly genetically engineered to maintain an appalling ignorance of other languages, and have narrowed down the choices we offer our young people to approximately one, Spanish, viewed by many to be the easiest foreign language to learn. It has been described in various places as having an "impoverished vocabulary", which means less work for Dick and Jane. The American education system so far is doing nothing to reverse the endangered languages trend, and much to promote it. In fact, there has been a criminal drop-off in foreign language study in American high schools."

Tags:japanese, italian, american, sign, language, russian, spanish, cultures, international, studies

Abstract
The paper discusses a 1999 article, "Teaching Secondary Language Minority Students." The paper describes the standards for effective teaching and learning, including teacher and students producing together in joint activities, and connecting school to students' lives.

From the Paper
"The standards for effective teaching and learning mentioned in the article "Teaching Secondary Language Minority Students" by Echevarria and Goldenberg are as follows; teacher and students produce together in joint activities, language is developed across the curriculum, meaning is made by connecting school to students' lives, complex thinking is taught and interactive discussions are used to teach. Features required for language development include understanding the language needs of the student, planning to meet these needs, delivering instruction and assessing the comprehension of the student..."

Tags:teaching, language, minority students, school

Abstract
The paper outlines research that will demonstrate the need to analyze existing data and formulate new research on foreign language retention, why it occurs on a post-secondary level and what obstacles contribute to increased or reduced retention in foreign language programs. The paper first reviews the literature and discusses the methodology to be used. The paper then shows that if the system becomes more open to communication style teaching through collaboration and other learning/teaching styles, and technology in learning is adaptive and appropriate, the post-secondary foreign language academy will likely improve retention and retain diversity. The paper highlights the need for mor research in this area of foreign language study in post-secondary systems.

Outline:
Introduction
Statement of Problem
Review of Literature
Methodology
Conclusion

From the Paper
"As the culture in which we live becomes increasingly diverse and highly focused on globalization, concepts of foreign language teaching and learning at all levels of education become much more important. (Gerwin & Osborn, 2002, p. 80) (Whitt, Edison, Pascarella, Terenzini & Nora, 2001, p. 172) Yet, statistics of enrolment and success in post-secondary foreign language education do not seem to play out this growing necessity. "In recent years, the language-instruction profession has seen alarming declines in enrollment in languages other than Spanish .... " (Moser, 2001, p. 3) Creating systems that promote retention of individuals in foreign language learning programs at the post-secondary level is therefore crucial to the development of educators and individuals who are fully prepared for a multi-lingual community and work environment."

Tags:collaboration, curriculum, diversity, technology

Abstract
The paper discusses the history of foreign language instruction in the United States and shows how despite the wide range of positive outcomes associated with foreign language instruction, there has been a profound lack of interest from the academic community at the college level until fairly recently in the nation's history. The paper then relates that today, more college students are recognizing the value that accrues to foreign language acquisition, but the U.S. continues to place far less emphasis on these initiatives than many other countries around the world. The paper stresses how in an increasingly multicultural society and globalized marketplace, fluency in other languages can provide some clear economic and cross-cultural benefits for Americans.

Outline:
History of Foreign Language Instruction and Enrollments in Institutions of Higher Education in the United States
Positive Outcomes Associated with Foreign Language Acquisition at the College Level
Globalization of American Society and Potential Beneficial Outcomes

From the Paper
"The history of foreign language instruction in the United States predates the establishment of the republic (Nunberg, 1997), but foreign language instruction was not a major focus of formal attention from the academic community until the 19th century (Osborn, 2002). The need for a common language throughout the country, though, particularly one which was established by the dominant language group (i.e., English) to help build a new nation would have some profound influences on foreign language instruction in the years to come. For instance, Osborn (2002) reports that by 1900, foreign language instruction in both public and private schools was viewed with increasing suspicion because these courses were felt to encourage divisiveness during a particularly formative period in American history."

Tags:multiculturalism, globalization, English

Abstract
This research proposal paper discusses the reasons why English language acquisition and acculturation may not be high priorities for foreign language speakers in the United States. The paper specifically aims to identify opportunities for improvement in foreign language educational services among foreign-born children enrolled in elementary (not including kindergarten) and secondary schools in the United States.

Table of Contents:
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Information on the Data
Data Analysis Statistical Design
Appendix

From the Paper
"According to U.S. Census data from 2000, the total number of foreign-born children enrolled in elementary (not including kindergarten) and secondary schools in the United States was around two-and-a-half million (Ernst-Slavit, Moore & Maloney, 2002). When students that were born in the United States to foreign-born parents are included in this total, the figure actually increases to more than 12 million students. According to Ernst-Slavit and his colleagues (2002), "Although not all students from these figures would be ESL students, a significant portion of them are likely to be. These figures also suggest the imminent reality that all teachers, at some point during their careers, will have in their classrooms at least one student for whom English is a second language" (p. 116). Indeed, in many parts of the country such as Texas and New Mexico, a majority of the students may be ESL students (Waters, 2007). According to this author, "Few trends have changed the demographics of U.S. elementary and secondary schools as dramatically as the record-high immigration of the past dozen years. Students who are learning English for the first time, better known as English language learners, make up a greater proportion of the K-12 population than ever before" Waters, 2007, p. 34)."

Tags:English, ESL, academics, classroom

Abstract
This paper discusses the skill of reading, which is one of the four skills that are used to teach a second language. Moreover, the writer examines the theories, models and approaches to reading and how teachers should teach Reading in EFL classrooms in Israel.

From the Paper
"Reading is one of the four skills that are used in the language. The four skills are speaking, listening writing and reading. Each skill is used in order to teach the foreign language in the Efl classroom. However the skills can be divided to pairs: 1. Speaking and listening. 2. Reading and writing. Reading "at first sight, it means that someone can recognize marks and translate them into spoken words" (Wilson, 2002). However, except the reorganization of letters the reader must bring background knowledge and experience in order to understand the text. "Reading is what happens when people look at a text and assign meaning to the written symbols in that text" (Aebersold, 1997). The reading is a process that both the reader and the text are involved in it by interaction. The reader read a text because he wants to get the information and massage from it and understand its meaning. The reader can understand the meaning of the written text that could be different from the meaning of the writer who wrote the text. This can happen due to different influences on the reader which are the reader's family, community and cultural environment. Moreover, the "reading comprehension differs from one reader to another" (Aebersold, 1997)."

Tags:EFL, teaching, model, skill, theory

Abstract
The paper discusses how Vygotsky believed that biology had an impact on childhood development to a certain degree, but that environment was the core of learning for every child (Berk, 2001, p. 254). The paper explains that according to Vygotsky, the child began learning by watching the adults around him or her and then making a decision about how he or she could behave based on the roles that were witnessed. The paper argues that it was not only these roles, but it was the language that the child heard and saw expressed that had a profound impact on both the development of the child and the identity that would ultimately be demonstrated (Berk, 2001, p. 254).

Tags:english, edu, esl