This issue of the "SLANT" Newsletter for researchers in second language acquisitions is highlighted by reports of research in progress in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany. Also included are reports of various second language conferences, a list of upcoming conferences, and announcements of developments that are of…

First the author discusses the question of the most propitious age for beginning the learning of a second language. He then describes the experimental FLES curriculum of the State of Baden-Wurttemberg and analyzes its results to date. (Text is in German.) (TL)

Late-beginning foreign language teaching (beginning course within Secondary Grade 2) fits smoothly into the reform concept of Gymnasium Upper Grade (university-type course), in the form of basic courses, but can obviously not meet the requirements for achievement, or honor, courses. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Using "begin" and "start" as examples, it is shown that English grammars (for German schools) are syntactically deficient in their description of verbs. Several typical grammar books are cited. Conclusions are drawn and proposals are made for constructing a new English grammar for German schools. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Reviews two recent books on the role of linguistics in foreign language teaching, examining critically claims for the value of linguistics in teaching. Discusses the relation between theory and practice, sociolinguistic considerations, and measuring achievement. Considers what may reasonably be expected from applied linguistics. (Text is in…

This article discusses an experiment carried out in a high school in Germany to test the effectiveness of an audiovisual approach to the teaching of French to German speakers. The results show the "Voix et Images de France" method to be effective. (Text is in French.) (CFM)

A questionnaire was given to 1,262 FL students at Bochum People's University to obtain data on social background, field of interest, motivation and perceived goals. Comment is made on a part of the results and their bearing on further work on courses for the university. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Hauptschule (practical secondary school) pupils are more readily confused than Gymnasium (university-preparatory secondary school) pupils when confronted with false answers. Spelling tests should be designed with regard to the type of school. Introducing visual guides helps the Hauptschule pupils to better achievement in productive tests. (Text is…

This issue of the "SLANT" Newsletter for researchers in second language acquisition is highlighted by a report of research on second language acquisition by immigrant workers in West Germany (including research in progress and a bibliography). Also included are reports from various language acquisition conferences; a listing of summer…

Assesses the progress being made in German schools toward the current goals of communicative competence in: pronunciation (beginners), vocabulary (Secondary 1) and work on texts (Secondary 2). Measuring achievement is especially important. Greater cooperation is needed between curriculum developers, administrators, teachers and students. (Text is…

German "reformed curriculum" schools have, in upper level honors courses, only 2.2 percent of students taking foreign languages. French enrollment especially is low. In English, the learning time of all future graduates is being shortened. An annual class of 160 is needed to offer adequate courses. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Contradicts the article "Das Franzoesische zahlt die Zeche" appearing in this journal (2/1975), stating that the reformed upper-level curriculum would result in no students' electing French. Proposes offering a third foreign language in 9 or 11, and a carefully designed, segmented, objectively testable course. (Text is in German.)…

Discusses some central problems in the Norm Book for English "Einheitliche Pruefungsanforderungen in der Abiturpruefung Englisch," Neuwied: Luchterhand, 1975. A clear statement of teaching objectives is lacking. Problem types are discussed, along with criteria for rating answers. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Special issue devoted to foreign language instruction in adult education. (WB)

Children of foreign workers in Germany have a language problem differing from that of German children studying (e.g.) English. With the goal of integrating the foreign children into German life, teachers with certain qualities and skills are needed. An appropriate teachers' training course is described. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)