Exploring different dimensions of language use

This article explores the way in which language teachers can diagnose language learners' competence from both a sociocultural and linguistic perspective. Using two sample 'letters of complaint', the article first considers competence in terms of how well the writers organize and structure their texts in relation to their social purpose and cultural context. It then examines the extent to which the learners have control over a range of grammatical and lexical resources: (a) for representing the world, (b) for interacting and building interpersonal relations, and (c) for creating cohesive text. The article argues that by teasing out these different 'functional' dimensions of language use, the language teacher and/or curriculum designer has a clear and systematic set of criteria for developing tasks and syllabi which are comprehensive in meeting the needs of language learners. Such an approach is underpinned by Systemic Functional Linguistics (Butt et al. 2000; Halliday 1985/1994), a theory of language as 'social action'. The approach has been particularly influential in language teaching and learning in the Australian context (e.g. Feez 1998; Hood et al. 1996; NSW AMES 1995)

Low phase-shift amplifier

Single-stage MOSFET amplifier is described which is identical to standard neutralized amplifier except that neutralization provided by broadband transformer is applied to AGC gate instead of signal gate. Neutralization of drain-to-control gate capacity minimizes the phase change induced by variation in AGC

Distillation of Strangelets for low initial mu/T

We calculate the evolution of quark-gluon-plasma droplets during the hadronization in a thermodynamical model. It is speculated that cooling as well as strangeness enrichment allow for the formation of strangelets even at very high initial entropy per baryon $S/A^{\rm init}\approx 500$ and low initial baryon numbers of $A_{\rm B}^{\rm init}\approx 30$. It is shown that the droplet with vanishing initial chemical potential of strange quarks and a very moderate chemical potential of up/down quarks immediately charges up with strangeness. Baryon densities of $\approx 2\rho_0$ and strange chemical potentials of $\mu_s>350$~MeV are reached if strangelets are stable. The importance of net--baryon and net--strangeness fluctuations for the possible strangelet formation at RHIC and LHC is emphasized

TRADE GAINS AND WELFARE COSTS OF INCOME STABILIZATION PROGRAMS FOR HOG PRODUCERS IN QUEBEC

The welfare costs of deficiency payments for an exported commodity may, under certain conditions, outweigh the gains from trade. The potential welfare impacts of stabilization programs in the hog sector in Quebec are estimated, based on a partial equilibrium framework, and elasticity estimates drawn from other sources. The results indicate that the loss in surplus in Quebec as a result of deficiency payments is very modest at approximately $8.5 million or 1.7$14 million.Livestock Production/Industries,

Portable life support for instrumentation of an offshore platform

A compressor was used to supply air through a nylon hose to the offshore platform field engineer working at the bottom of the piling. Air quality in the pile was sampled periodically for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and combustible gases by an universal tester and an explosion meter

A Call for Standardized Data: the Demining 2010 Initiative Conference as an Opportunity for Consensus

In response to the problem of landmines around the world, the United States has created a Demining 2010 Initiative that is a U.S.-led initiative to develop, marshal and commit the resources to end the landmine threat to civilians by the year 2010. One aspect of this initiative is the Demining 2010 Initiative Conference, to be held in the summer of 1998. This conference offers an opportunity to standardize data collection methods to more accurately assess the landmine problem

A survey and evaluation of the English program in a private school.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Learning the language of school history: the role of linguistics in mapping the writing demands of the secondary school curriculum

This paper reports on a research study which used the tools of functional linguistics to illuminate the writing requirements of the history curriculum in the context of Australian secondary schools. It shows how the resulting linguistic description was integrated into a sequence of teaching and learning activities through collaboration between linguist specialists and content/pedagogic specialists. These activities were designed to facilitate students’ writing skills whilst simultaneously developing their historical knowledge. An independent evaluation of the approach pointed to positive changes in teachers’ attitudes and behaviours regarding the role of language in learning history. Equally, students’ writing improved, particularly in terms of its organisation and structure

Using exchange structure analysis to explore argument in text-based computer conferences

Computer conferencing provides a new site for students to develop and rehearse argumentation skills, but much remains to be learnt about how to encourage and support students in this environment. Asynchronous text-based discussion differs in significant ways from face-to-face discussion, creating a need for specially designed schemes for analysis. This paper discusses some of the problems of analysing asynchronous argumentation, and puts forward an analytical framework based on exchange structure analysis, which brings a linguistic perspective to bear on the interaction. Key features of the framework are attention to both interactive and ideational aspects of the discussion, and the ability to track the dynamic construction of argument content. The paper outlines the framework itself, and discusses some of the findings afforded by this type of analysis, and its limitations