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Fluctuating selection driven by coevolution between hosts and parasites is important for the generation of host and parasite diversity across space and time. Theory has focused primarily on infection genetics, with highly specific 'matching-allele' frameworks more likely to generate fluctuating selection dynamics (FSD) than 'gene-for-gene' (generalist-specialist) frameworks. However, the environment, ecological feedbacks and life-history characteristics may all play a role in determining when FSD occurs. Here, we develop eco-evolutionary models with explicit ecological dynamics to explore the ecological, epidemiological and host life-history drivers of FSD. Our key result is to demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that specificity between hosts and parasites is not required to generate FSD. Furthermore, highly specific host-parasite interactions produce unstable, less robust stochastic fluctuations in contrast to interactions that lack specificity altogether or those that vary from generalist to specialist, which produce predictable limit cycles. Given the ubiquity of ecological feedbacks and the variation in the nature of specificity in host-parasite interactions, our work emphasizes the underestimated potential for host-parasite coevolution to generate fluctuating selection.

The received biography available for the English composer John Sheppard (c.1514 – late 1558 or early 1559) is amenable to clarification at a number of points. He was employed as Master of the Choristers at Magdalen College, Oxford, for just a single spell, September 1543 to early 1548. The available evidence suggests that he proceeded thence directly to admission to the Chapel Royal. He had no further contact with Magdalen College; an instance of kidnap and confinement perpetrated in 1555 that is commonly attributed to him was instead committed by one Richard Sheparde/Sheper/Sheprey, a fellow of the college. Despite being only an imperfect draft, his 'will' of 1 December 1558 reveals much about his family circumstances at Westminster. He died between 1 December 1558 and 31 January 1559; the actual date must be reconcilable with expectation of his attendance at Queen Elizabeth's coronation on 15 January 1559, as recorded on a list compiled not earlier than 15 December 1558. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A. S. Hornby can justly be considered the "father" of UK-based ELT. He was the founder and first Editor of English Language Teaching (now known as ELT Journal); he established the ground rules for situational language teaching, the dominant ELT methodology in the United Kingdom up until the 1970s; he was the chief originator of the "Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary"; and, last but not least, he set up the A. S. Hornby Educational Trust, which has just completed its 50th year of charitable activity. In the following article, Richard Smith provides an overview of Hornby's career and important overall legacy to ELT and then Roger Bowers describes the history, nature, and current activities of the Hornby Trust.

Roger Bowers talks to Numa Markee, Director of the Language Learning Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, about people, computers, and language teaching. (Author/VWL)

Presents an interview with Costas Markou, the Chief Education Officer for the Ministry of Education in Cyprus, about cooperative education, focusing on his personal history as a learner, teacher trainer, inspector, and administrator. (Author/SM)

Applied and theoretical linguist and author David Crystal is interviewed concerning his career and his interest in both public and academic approaches to language. Topics discussed include Crystal's formative experiences, the emergence of public interest in language, concerns about the current and future role of languages and language diversity, and current interests. (MSE)

The relationship between language learning and cross-cultural awareness is of increasing interest, particularly in the wider European context. Aspects of the relationship are considered and exercises to assist in defining the components of cultural awareness and the notion of the cultural group are offered. (one reference) (JL)