A study investigated the instructional and curricular changes made in seven Mesa (Arizona) public elementary schools as a result of a 1989 state mandate for second language instruction at the elementary school level. In the schools under study, Spanish second language instruction is integrated into the core curriculum. The study examined…

This teacher's guide accompanies a program designed as an introduction to Spanish as a second language in a daily, 4-hour elementary summer school program of 4 weeks in duration. The program is described as an activity-oriented, communication-based elementary foreign language immersion program. Detailed plans are provided for the first three…

Evaluation of foreign languages in the elementary school (FLES) programs is needed to provide feedback (descriptive data about a school's offerings) and accountability (program accomplishments). Thorough program evaluation verifies both a district's thoughtful, written philosophy of foreign language education and local goals. Some FLES program…

This paper reports an investigation of a timetabled session in a self-access center with a General English program. Five classes were observed for three weeks to determine how the available time was actually used. Learners' opinions on the purpose and usefulness of the session were also sought. The most frequently observed activity overall was…

The evolution of the Workplace Education Service that operates in South Australia is chronicled. Begun as a single program designed to integrate workplace literacy, English as a Second Language, and literacy education for both native and non-native English-speakers in an automobile plant, the project grew into a network of programs and services in…

This memorandum discusses the need for civics and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction as a result of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986. IRCA provides an opportunity for illegal aliens to obtain legal resident status by successfully completing a test of English proficiency and a test of U.S. history and government, or…

Motivated by the introduction of a new secondary school language curriculum in Malaysia, a project was undertaken to examine its effects on classroom teaching and learning, particularly from the teacher's perspective. The portion of the project that involved training state officials to participate in a formative evaluation of the curriculum and…

A discussion of the role of second language proficiency assessment in the evaluation of language programs argues that for four reasons, the use of proficiency is inappropriate as a central element in evaluation. The reasons are: (1) the construct of proficiency has not been operationalized in a way that enables it to be used usefully; (2)…

This paper describes a project undertaken by the Free Kindergarten Association-Multicultural Resource Centre in Victoria, Australia, to develop policies, models, and strategies for establishing and maintaining bilingual programs in preschool or child care centers, either as full bilingual programs or as bilingual perspectives in other programs.…

This report calls for a major change in foreign language education in the state of Utah, moving from an instructional emphasis on the study of grammar to performance in speaking skills that can be sustained through instruction in reading, writing, and structural knowledge. This mastery curriculum will enable students to progress in language…

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…

Public relations (PR) is a well-planned campaign of activities the purpose of which is to sell a product (such as foreign language programs) to an external audience. PR differs from publicity in that publicity is a reaction to occasional events whereas PR is a plan with identifiable objectives which extends over a period of time. In conducting a…

Materials development needs in the less commonly taught languages were surveyed in order to update an earlier conference report and set priorities for the 1980s. Questionnaires were developed for university department chairpersons, instructors, and business language programs. The survey response data are reported on (1) teaching program structure,…

The school performance of pupils in grades K-2 of the French immersion program in operation in Ottawa public schools is evaluated in comparison with that of pupils in the regular English program. (Author/RM)

Statistical evidence produced by a 4-year study of policies for educating immigrants' children in seven Western European countries, Canada and Australia shows that such children are disadvantaged under the present arrangements. This report considers how policies have been working and whether there is a case for some new directions and emphases. It…