Abstracts

Although there is a lot of work done by scholars in defining the scope and meaning of multicultural education, contemporary multiculturalists still have different views about how to define the boundaries of multicultural education. In order to address the common misconceptions about multicultural education and to develop a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, analysis of various interpretations of multicultural education and their interconnections at different developmental stages is needed. This paper focuses on exploration of definitions of multiculturalism in education, analyzing the changes in American society that have influenced multicultural education. Since its conceptualization, multicultural education has developed from appreciating solely racial and cultural differences and similarities to analyzing complex hierarchical systems of domination and oppression based on interrelation of race, ethnicity, social class, gender, environmental issues, and so on in the American society. Implications of these findings are discussed in relevance to the content of multicultural education.

OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) is a standardized procedure for a global assessment of speaking ability that was developed by the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Unlike other assessments that aim to measure achievement, OPI aims to measure proficiency. It is conducted not only in English but also in many other languages. In this project, I will conduct a 15-30-minute interview with Japanese language students and then analyze it in terms of phonology, morphology, syntax, socio-linguistic features and appropriateness, changing nature of language, and dispositions. Through this project, I will also discuss the procedures as well as teaching methods to improve learners' proficiency in Japanese language classes at college.

Howard Gardner's theories of multiple intelligences (MI) have given ESL teachers the chance to reexamine the way languages are learned in the classroom. Idiomatic and figurative language present a particular hurdle to the ESL student, a hurdle that may be overcome through the application of MI-enlightened teaching strategies. This paper discusses possible benefits of using MI-sensitive teaching methods in the ESL classroom during the instruction of idiomatic content, followed by suggestions for research on the efficacy of employing such teaching strategies.

When the Berlin Wall fell twenty years ago, Germany was full of hope for the future. Deutschmarks were handed out to East Germans, and the West welcomed them with open arms. However, the initial enthusiasm and excitement has faded as the reality of reunification was faced with the modernization of the state and the economy (solidarity support of $775 billion). Vast differences such as employment, wealth, lifestyle, and political beliefs remain between West and the East. Nostalgia for the former socialist system surfaced, like guaranteed jobs, low rent, and less differentiation between social classes, as well as the resentment of capitalism. The question remains: Can the German people on both sides knock down the metaphorical wall in their minds?

This study describes the process and results of using Reflective Journal Writing in an academic ESL writing course as a method of assessment and a tool for self-regulation. This poster illustrates how Reflection can be incorporated in writing classes that emphasize the Academic Writing Process.

Podcasts of cutting-edge technologies have been recently tried in education, and language learning in particular. These tools have proved to be wonderful for learning/teaching listening and speaking. Podcasts have enabled educational practitioners to disseminate recordings of lectures and other materials to students. The successful application of these technologies in education is influenced by the access to a broadband Internet, which is apparently a serious limitation in the developing countries. However, podcasts can be more easily accessible than any other learning materials in Rwandan higher learning institutions, where institutional libraries are poorly equipped and do not correspond to the number of clients they are supposed to serve. Their open availability online and playability on mobile devices, the most ubiquitous technologies among tertiary learners in Rwanda, make it possible to use podcasts in this context. A thoughtful design of courses that embed the use of podcasts that are available on the web and the creation of podcasts by learners themselves can improve English language listening and speaking skills among Rwandan university students in a cost-effective way. In this session, the presenter discusses the applicability of podcasts to improve English language listening and speaking learning in Rwandan higher learning institutions.

Presented is a theoretical model of the interplay between Willingness to Communicate (WTC), the Right to Speak (investment vs. motivation), and the Spiral of Silence. Knowledge of L1 Cultural Moorings is perceived as an intrinsic key in the process of bridging transitions, not only within L1 settings but also between L1 and L2 cultures. Language is culture; therefore, the possible pathways and effects of one's public discourse, respective to assimilation and empowerment, are examined.

As the U.S. undergoes significant demographic changes in ethnicity, effective cross-cultural communication skills are imperative to succeed personally and professionally. To date, there has been little research examining native speaker intelligibility of foreign-accented English. The presenter reports on a survey of university students regarding 1) attitudes toward foreign-accented English, 2) strategies employed to facilitate its intelligibility, 3) opinions regarding the communication burden in cross-cultural interactions, and 4) the extent to which native English speakers view understanding foreign-accented English as an important skill. The findings of this study demonstrate the relationships between the attitudes, strategies, responsibility for communication, perceived importance of understanding foreign-accented English, exposure to foreign-accented English, international experience, and foreign language instruction. A better understanding of these relationships contributes to the development of curricular and pedagogical initiatives to assist native speakers in understanding multiple varieties of spoken English and thereby facilitating effective cross-cultural communication.

Use of vocabulary learning strategies helps in recognizing and dealing with new words in reading materials. Use of a word in writing requires the author to not only recognize the word and understand its meaning, but also to use appropriate collocations, grammatical patterns, and word forms. Because of this complexity and the fact that good learners typically use a variety of strategies, multiple strategies for learning words from the Academic Word List (AWL) are taught throughout the term in a course designed for English language learners. This action research study evaluates whether target academic vocabulary use in ESLN515 student essays changes over the semester. This presentation describes two sections of this class that emphasize different vocabulary acquisition strategies and compares the degree to which students in each use the target vocabulary in their writing.

A major trend at U.S. colleges is the decreasing number of students who complete their college education in four years. This research analyzed factors impacting timely graduation of students at Eastern Michigan University. A random sample of students enrolled in the COB 200 course in the academic year 2003-04 was tracked to identify whether they graduated in four years. The overall four-year graduation rate was 34%. Moreover, discriminant analysis results indicated that credit hours taken, transfer students, and the COB 200 instructor had a significant impact on timely graduation. Implications of results and further research opportunities are discussed.

More than 100 countries around the world currently require or permit International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) reporting in 2009. When U.S. companies convert from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) to IFRS, they face great challenges as well as opportunities to make choices on financial reporting policies. A survey of leading European pharmaceutical companies that used U.S. GAAP prior to the IFRS adoption was conducted to evaluate their first-time adoption of IFRS practices. The survey results are structured into three aspects and discussed in this thesis: first, IFRS 1 optional exemptions at transition date; second, key accounting differences from IFRS to U.S. GAAP reconciliation; and the third, choices of alternative accounting methods allowed by IFRS. These results not only provide benchmark information but also provide U.S. companies a cost-effective pathway in making their reporting choices in the near future when U.S. companies convert from U.S. GAAP to IFRS.

In the last decade, an increase in crisis situations in schools has created a need for crisis management communication plans so the faculty, students, and support staff can act quickly and effectively during a crisis. This study began with a review of the literature to determine current best practices with crisis management communication plans and includes an analysis of one school's crisis response plans as well as data collected from four interviews of school officials who currently serve on the school crisis response team. After analyzing the plans and comparing them to the crisis communication plan recommendations from the literature, the researcher concluded that the school's current plans are thorough, complete, and effective. Specific recommendations to enhance the plans include additional staff training, improving the debriefing process following the crisis, and providing additional support for the staff and students in the aftermath of the crisis.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a framework for conceptualizing the role that social skills play in the success of individuals transitioning back into the workforce. It is suggested that social skills, specifically the ability to read others accurately, make favorable first impressions, adapt to a wide range of social situations, and be persuasive, have a major impact on the transitioning worker's ability to successfully re-enter the job market.

Almost overnight, ABC found that massive cost reductions were necessary to survive and stay in business in 2008 and 2009. The medium-size company has various locations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. This was a test, if ever there was one, to measure how past and future decisions would make or break a business. Automotive industry sales in the U.S. were down in 2009 compared to last year. Past day-to-day operating decisions were made without having a huge negative impact on the companies' bottom line. Many companies had a huge war chest to pull resources from in the event that some catastrophic event should happen. That all changed when the stock market took a downturn. It would take major cost reductions for ABC to remain competitive in this volatile economic climate.

This presentation will explore how the Predictive Index (PI) is used in Global Leadership Development. Specific topic areas that will be covered include the history of PI, reliability and validity of the tool, the PI process, the four PI drive factors and what they mean, utilizing PI in leadership development, leadership styles, PI Case Studies/an Organizational Testimony, implications and applications, and limitations or the tool.

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., with adolescents (ages 15-19) and young adults (ages 20-24) at highest risk, yet little is known regarding their intention to undergo HPV vaccination. This study examined data collected from 222 females ages 18-26 attending a university-based gynecology clinic. Participants were randomized to receive HPV specific education plus a reminder letter on HPV vaccine uptake. Demographics, medical and sexual history, HPV-related knowledge and personal beliefs, and intention to undergo vaccination were also collected. Ninety-six (43.2%) intended to undergo HPV vaccination, 69 (31.1%) did not, and one fourth were unsure of their intent. Females who were sexually active and those who did not have private health insurance were significantly less likely to undergo vaccination. Interventions to increase HPV vaccine intention and, ultimately, uptake should address personal HPV-related beliefs in addition to broader barriers to vaccination.

This presentation focuses on the Aftermarket auto parts industry in the U.S. The mapping process includes various key suppliers, distributors, retailers, and end-consumers in aftermarket auto parts Industry, and how the suppliers have managed their global supply chains in collaboration with the OEM's or Big Auto Assemblers to meet the competition and ensure quality standards and high level of customer service. In this industry, demand is unpredictable for the body parts (resulting from collisions) of cars currently on the roads and also because an increase in the average life cycle of passenger cars has impacted the parts availability and its manufacturers. In order to point out the contrast between two different economies, a comparison of the U.S. Aftermarket Auto Industry with India's Aftermarket Auto Industry is presented through the mapping process. Last, I will highlight the viability and challenges involved in implementing supply chain management practices in dealing with the planning and control of total materials flow from suppliers through end-users.

This research assesses overall supply chain in timber industry concentrating on the markets of the United States and India. I will develop a supply chain map of major suppliers and customers located inside and outside the countries and show how they are interlinked to one another. My research will also attempt to capture the differences between both markets on the basis of industry trends and characteristics that show how both of the markets are showing changing trends in the consumption, production, and import of timber and timber products.

The purpose of this study was to identify the extent and impact of various formal and informal institutional support services, which includes guidance and assistance offered to quota-based students in Indian higher education. The study emphasized the past socialization behaviors that affected the quota-based students' educational endeavors and examined the impact of institutional practices on these students. This study also examined the impoverished background of Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe and Other Backward Caste students based on Banks's key concepts in terms of origin, race, ethnicity, income levels, and previous educational equity and its correlation with their performance and success at public institutions in India. Edgar Schein's organizational culture model assisted the researcher in understanding various cultural variances of the quota and non-quota based students. Finally, Fisher's three stage model of 'anticipatory socialization,' 'accommodation, encounter, initial confrontation, and adjustment' and 'Role management, Change and Acquisition, Mutual acceptance, Adaptation and Metamorphosis' was adapted in the study to analyze various socialization strategies by the students in the institution. The results of this study have provided a better understanding to Indian public institutions of effectively guiding quota-based students in their institutions and have recommended successful strategies to develop programs to ensure improved graduation rates and help to gain better educational equity among quota-based students in the higher educational system of India.

This ethnographic research focuses on developing a cultural knowledge of hometown community culture. While previous research examined how college affects students, this research reverses the approach and investigates how the students and their hometown community values actually affect the college community. This research approach gives faculty, staff, and administrators the ability to investigate the cultural characteristics of students' hometowns. To investigate these topics, I conducted in-depth interviews with 21 diverse students to learn about their matriculation process and how hometown culture(s) affected their entry into Eastern Michigan University.