Disciplinary discourse in doctoral theses

This paper discusses stylistic conventions within broad disciplinary groupings in the language of doctoral theses. It argues that the language conventions in doctoral thesis texts reflect spohisticated learning of key disciplinary norms governing the conception, production and reporting of knowledge in particular fields. The paper shows that many conventions are subtle; they may not be readily identifiable to experienced scholars, yet doctoral students are expected to learn and master them, suggesting that discipline-specific writing norms and conventions are learned largely by tacit means during doctoral study. The paper reviews the nature of linguistic forms in doctoral theses and identifies the underlying epistemological and cultural influences which shape the writing. Doctoral theses from a range of disciplines are examined closely. Attention particularly is directed to the overall structure of argument and the techniques for coherence; the conventions for citing, acknowledging and making judgements about previous research; and the nature of the technical language of the field.     

Teaching English Language Learners At Risk for Reading Disabilities to Read: Putting Research into Practice

The purpose of this article is to describe features of interventions that are empirically validated for use with first‐grade students at risk for reading disabilities who are English language learners (ELLs) and whose home language is Spanish. The empirical evidence supporting these interventions is summarized. Interventions for improving oral language and reading abilities with struggling readers who are ELLs taught in either Spanish or English are described as a means to assist school districts and teachers in defining and implementing effective interventions for ELLs at risk for reading difficulties. The interventions described may be useful to educators seeking information about Response to Intervention as a means of identifying ELLs who require services for learning disabilities.     

Girls in the Education Market: Choice,competition and complexity

ABSTRACT This paper considers the role of girls' schools in the UK education market and, concomitantly, the positioning and 'value' of girls in the education market place. Themarketing and public presentations of two schools are examined and the messages and impressions presented to parents are analysed. The relationships of these schools to their 'competitors' are also explored. These are set against the 'choices' and choice-making of a sample of local parents considering the possibility of single-sex schooling for their daughters. It is argued that the current conditions of competition in the UK education market offer some advantages to girls but that these advantages have to be set against the continuing contradictions and oppressions of single-sex schooling.