Reports on the findings of the College Board's "Academic Preparation for College," with respect to the foreign language preparedness of secondary-school students. Reveals a shocking, intellectually crippling decline in student preparation. Supports the recommendations of the foreign language statement of the Green Book. (DMM)

In the fall of 1996, the State Board of Education adopted "Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities." In 2000, the standards were formally revised and again adopted by the State Board. In the summer of 2004, another chapter in the standards, "Grade Expectations for Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning…

This paper presents a new perspective on mentoring foreign language teachers. It suggests that mentoring is an essential part of a program manager's responsibilities, but that it is important to individualize the process of mentoring if it is to be as effective as it can be. First, a definition of mentoring and issues surrounding it are discussed.…

Argues for the use of computer systems in language classrooms. One of the major advantages is that the student can move at his own pace. The computer thus provides the time needed for individualized instruction that the teacher cannot afford. A sample computer curriculum is detailed. (PJM)

Discusses methods for encouraging advanced language students to learn on their own. Successful learning results from the high stimulation and continuous activity of conscious and unconscious observation. If the learner is enabled to observe consciously outside the classroom, he will do it unconsciously and learning will be constant. (PJM)

Consistent areas of difficulty for Navajo and Chicano speakers learning English as a second language are summarized. Exercises to correct these specific problems are cited, using a contrastive approach. (HTH)

In lieu of language lab attendance, second-year language students had the option of attending a drama lab. This program has met with great success. The objective of the lab is to improve skills in pronunciation, intonation, and stress patterns. Also, an environment is created in which the student feels at home with the target language. (PJM)

Discusses an approach to teaching note-taking to students of English as a second language who will go on to study at the university level. (CFM)

A preliminary set of principles of judging the pedagogical utility of proposed grammar rules is offered. The goal is the inclusion in teaching materials of only those rules which are linguistically accurate, pedagogically sound, and relevant to specified instructional objectives. (Author)

Discusses the teaching of derivatives of irregular Spanish verbs in order to reinforce irregular patterns and increase the students' active vocabularies. (NCR)

Presents an analysis of the various concerns that must be addressed in modern language syllabus design. A questionnaire on students' communicative needs is included. An attempt is made to differentiate among different syllabus forms. (AM)

Discusses general strategies and specific devices to motivate intermediate and advanced students to use the language laboratory frequently and efficiently. Suggests types of materials most effective for language laboratory use. (PMJ)

Demonstrates how Sector Analysis theory can serve as a model for the contrastive analysis of the grammars of any two languages. Examples are provided for English and Hausa. (AM)

The social psychological constructs postulated by Garner, Clement et al. are integrated into a proposed new framework of second/foreign language (L2) learning motivation. The proposed model comprises three levels: language, learner, and learning situation. Practical examples for motivating L2 learners are presented. (55 references) (LB)

Recent advances in electronic media technology (hypertext and interactive video) are summarized. Classroom applications and implementation issues are considered, and it is argued that technology can play an important role in foreign language and literature classrooms. (Contains 41 references.) (Author/LB)