This is the last article in a four-part series on issues that help define or promote a civil society. This article looks specifically at the issue of consensus and seeks to answer the following question: How can a diverse group act constructively to make unified decisions? Describes activities that teach the basic concepts and skills of consensus…

Discusses the content-based approach to foreign language instruction and highlights a content-based unit that has been used successfully. The approach includes brainstorming; mapping; singing; recognizing, labeling, and describing; story dramatization and pantomime; writing compositions; and creative activities. (Author/VWL)

This paper investigates the value of language classroom negotiation of meaning from both cognitive and sociocultural perspectives. According to Long (1985, 1996) comprehensible input gained through interactional adjustments such as negotiating meaning and modifying output is central to second language acquisition, and much research has been…

The design of instructional materials for second language listening comprehension is discussed, based on the premise that such materials must reflect a view of the nature and processes of listening. Two distinct kinds of cognitive processes involved in listening are examined: bottom-up processing, or the use of incoming data as a source of…

Some simple word games are suggested to aid in teaching foreign languages at the elementary level. (CK)

A discussion of use of theater in second language instruction describes one teacher's experience using French masterpieces in the language class. Illustrations are drawn from Racine's seventeenth-century classical tragedy "Andromaque." Five individual and group activities are described that are referred to as the Circle, the Interpreter, the…

Report on the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 18-20, 1974. (PMP)

Describes ways in which language students can use their acquired skills in a variety of contexts beyond those provided by any textbook. (PM)

A report is made on the use of foreign language for spontaneous communication in an elementary language class. Four correction-free, peer communicative/interaction activities are outlined according to procedures, objectives, and evaluations. (Author/RM)

Proposes guidelines for low cost or no cost field trips, and discusses trip activities. Also gives ideas for incorporating lessons in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills into trip activities. (EKN)

Offers eleven examples of games for the French class which can be conducted without special materials. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Keeping the pupils' interest up throughout the year in a compulsory language class is a major problem and therefore, language-teaching games are very important. Some new suggestions for games to be used in the elementary school are: (1) The Parrot; (2) The Robot; (3) Ping-Pong; and (4) Telephone. Card games such as Happy Families can be played…

Discusses the role of games in the French class, and gives examples of some possible approaches. (Text is in French.) (AM)

This topical bibliography and commentary discusses how the principles in first language acquisition can be applied to second language learning and summarizes a variety of techniques employed by teachers towards that end. It discusses first language acquisition, narrative strategies, conversational strategies, and creating contextual experiences.…

Special issue devoted to the second conference on structuro-global-audio-visual methodology, at Mons, Belgium, 1971; text of a talk which formed the basis of discussion during the conference. (VM)