"A ... way in which earlier learning renders later performance more efficient is through what is called non-specific transfer, or, more accurately, the transfer of principles and attitudes. In essence, it consists of learning initially not a skill but a general idea, which can then be used as the basis for recognizing subsequent problems as special cases of the idea originally mastered. This type of transfer is at the heart of educational process -- the continual broadening and deepening of knowledge in terms of basic and general ideas." Bruner,1969. The Process of Education. Harvard Univ Press. p. 17a " "An introduction to language can take a number of forms; however, as we have conceived of it, it should aim to present insights into certain fundamental propositions regarding the nature of language. The purpose of such an introduction would be to establish generalizations that would in turn have the general aim of enabling children to reinterpret and organize their own experiences of language, as well as the narrower aim of laying the foundation for further language studies in English and the humanities." Forsyth & Pearce, 1974. Language: Classroom and examinations. Longman. p. 8 "In attempting to devise an appropriate form for the introduction of language studies a basic distinction was made between establishing the nature of language as a universal of human behavior and a study of the various uses of a given language. Although in studying uses of English we are enlarging language, we need to avoid the assumption that a study in depth of the uses of a particular language will lead to an understanding of language itself." Forsyth & Pearce, 1974. Language: Classroom and examinations. Longman. p. 9 To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/