Comprehensively updated, the second edition is a user-friendly resource for teachers and administrators to ensure their school's success in implementing and maintaining a dual language program. The book is filled with step-by-step instructions and strategies you can try immediately. The second edition includes key updates on technology, digital…

This practice brief draws upon recent evidence-based instructional recommendations regarding dual language learners (DLL) and English learners (ELs) from the report, "Promoting the Educational Success of Children and Youth Learning English: Promising Futures. Consensus Study Report." The research-based recommendations provided in this…

Standardized tests have been selected as a key assessment factor in expanding the academic achievement of the national student population. However, these tests position immigrant students at the risk of academic failure, leading education experts to search for new strategies and teaching models. The "Handbook of Research on Assessment…

Being able to use other languages is an essential tool for the modern world. While the image of the world as "a global village" is indeed popular, it does not always correspond to reality. A village would tend to be relatively homogeneous in terms of culture and language. Surely, this monocultural, monolingual picture does not reflect the…

Examines the importance of teaching all young students a second language. U.S. society often believes other countries must adjust to U.S. ways. They are unaware of the rich variety of world cultures. Learning a second language expands a child's world view and ultimately helps U.S. competitiveness in the world market. (SM)

This paper helps mainstream teachers and administrators demystify English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) education, providing techniques to help immigrant students make sense of English and their new culture. Ten chapters examine the following: (1) "We're Moving to Where?" (how it feels to move to a totally alien environment); (2) "The Essence and…

Describes how to plan a weekend foreign language workshop in terms of facilities, students, staff, and budget. Gives a possible schedule and suggests various activities and games. (EKN)

Presents the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' provisional generic descriptions for nine levels (novice-low, novice-mid, novice-high, advanced, advanced plus, and superior) in the following areas: (1) speaking, (2) listening, (3) reading, (4) writing, and for six levels in culture. (SED)

Discusses the use of Chinese-language television commercials from Taiwan in intermediate courses on Chinese as a foreign language. Television commercials have been found to be stimulating aural, visual, and cultural input that can provide intermediate learners with interesting, even provocative, topics to discuss. (11 references) (MDM)

A rationale for providing foreign language instruction for gifted students is presented, noting the benefits of second language learning at an early age and the need to train future leaders in critical international and intercultural skills. Methods of fostering foreign language mastery are discussed. (JDD)

Presents ideas for a special unit about opera that can be used in high school or college Italian courses. Offers a rationale for using opera, discusses opera in terms of multiple intelligences, explains the integration of an opera unit into regular curriculum, and describes how to develop an opera unit and what concepts to teach. (SM)

Provides a bibliography of published research papers that either describe the history of the TOEFL, offer a critical review of the test, or interpret TOEFL research findings. Some topics include: the correlation of TOEFL with other standardized tests of English language proficiency, TOEFL's role as a predictor of academic performance, the…

This report on model learner outcomes for world languages education is divided into five sections. The first describes the values, philosophy, mission, and goals of the Minnesota State Board of Education. The second section provides an introduction to and information on the goals of world languages education. Section three presents a range of…

The purpose of this tool kit is to provide guidance, tools, and resources that will assist communities in building culturally and linguistically competent services, supports, programs, and practices related to young children, their families. By offering services in culturally and linguistically meaningful ways, communities can engage all families…

Interactive research can build English-as-a-Second-Language students' language skills and cultural awareness. This paper describes a research project in which Spanish-speaking students at a San Francisco college advanced their language skills while developing basic computer-literacy skills as they conducted meaningful, relevant research projects…