To help students compete in a global economy, American teachers must begin teaching children a second language at an early age. Describes the advantages of learning a second language at the elementary school level, highlighting three currently-used language programs (immersion, Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools, and Foreign Language…

Examines several of the key decisions to be made when designing a program model for an elementary school foreign language program and relates them to the three most common forms of elementary school programs: FLES, FLEX, and immersion, and to the resources that may be available to a local community. (SED)

This guide contains daily lesson plans for a 4-week, 4-hour a day immersion program for an introductory German-as-a-foreign-language program. The program uses repetition, gestures, realia, puppets, and comprehension-based activities such as Total Physical Response; it also uses illustrations designed to promote the goals of comprehension,…

The article reports the results of a 1979-80 survey of the kind and number of French language programs in Canadian elementary schools. It notes the development of both traditional and immersion French language programs and the increasing enrollment in French programs, especially in Eastern Canada. (SB)

A colloquium convened at the Deutsches Haus in New York is summarized that brought together experts to discuss (1) the significance foreign languages have for other elementary school subjects, and (2) what function the other subjects serve for early foreign language learning. The following six topics, guided by session leaders, provided the…

An exploration of the reasons for the failure of former elementary school foreign language programs precedes the identification of issues that should be addressed to ensure the effectiveness of current and future programs. The three basic FLES program models, Foreign Language Experience (FLEX), sequential FLES, and immersion, are described. (CB)

Describes three systems for teaching foreign children German along with their native language. Concludes that teaching various subjects in the foreign language aids in learning the language. Discusses the use of films, cassettes, etc. in a bilingual teaching approach to natural sciences, mathematics, and other subjects. (IFS/WGA)

Examines several key issues that parents must know about their children learning a second language, including the benefits of knowing a second language; the benefits of learning second languages in elementary school; how languages are taught to children; whether second languages will interfere with English ability; how parents can help; and how…

French immersion programs were initiated in Ontario and Quebec 20 years ago in the search for more effective second language instruction methods, and by September 1975 had spread to all Canadian provinces. The emphasis is on communication, with subject matter taught in French. The programs have been very effective, resulting in successful…

Suggests that in certain regions of the country such as Iowa, two foreign language goals should take precedence over the goal of language proficiency in elementary schools: (1) to introduce children to other languages and cultures, and (2) to show that they can learn to communicate successfully in another language. (SED)

Proposes a model of immersion strategy based on an emphasis on communication and on the use of a great variety of teaching techniques. (AM)

An exploratory study used Los Angeles' Korean/English Bilingual Immersion Project (KEBIP) to examine effects of two-way immersion on ethnic identification of third-language speakers who received no first-language support from teachers. KEBIP participants were compared with ethnically matched students from other classrooms. Third-language students…

The articles collected here are intended to inform parents of all the theoretical and practical considerations involved in initiating and maintaining second language instruction, specifically in French, for the child. Topics covered include: (1) descriptions of types of second language programs; (2) teaching methods; (3) results of research on the…

Examines research on the effectiveness of bilingual French/English "immersion" programs v French/English "intensive" programs consisting of a regular curriculum in English plus an intensive five-month oral French program. (AM)

Demographic, economic, and social realities make linguistic and cross-cultural competence essential skills for today's students. This article discusses three innovative program types that build on basic education while enriching it through second languages: second-language immersion for native English-speaking students; developmental bilingual…