Examines second-language vocabulary knowledge and acquisition by reviewing research on levels of lexical proficiency and on qualitative differences in the oral and written communication of French immersion students as compared to that of their francophone peers. Argues for improved vocabulary instruction in immersion programs. (MDM)

Discusses the creation of a positive classroom climate, examines four dimensions of classroom climate (physical, academic, organizational, and social-emotional), and reviews techniques that teachers can use to promote a positive classroom climate. Teachers need to get to know their students, discuss the course objectives with their students, and…

A member of the Toronto Board of Education argues that exposure to international languages in elementary school constitutes an important part of a forward-looking, up-to-date educational system. Maintains that the learning of a second or third language has positive social and economic benefits. (MDM)

Reports in detail the results of a 1994 telephone survey conducted by the Modern Language Association (MLA) of a sample of English and foreign language departments. The survey was designed to ascertain changes in department size, faculty vacancies, student enrollment and majors, staffing, and course offerings over the 1980-94 period. (three…

Outlines the focus, curriculum, and outcomes of the Culture and Commerce interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. The program includes language study, international business courses, a semester abroad, and an internship with an international organization in New York City. (Contains four…

Discusses the use of Language Medium Teaching (LMT) in an experimental project at Craigroyston High School in Edinburgh, Scotland. Students in the LMT immersion program are taught geography in French. Also discussed are the use of LMT in the Scottish Primary Pilot program at Balerno High School and its feeder primary schools. (MDM)

A Spanish language program for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students is reported that is a cooperative effort of the Bulloch County Public School System, Georgia Southern University, and the Southeast Georgia Foreign Language and Cultural Center. (LB)

Focuses on the question of administration when French language immersion programs are integrated into English instruction schools. It is argued that bilingual administration would be better than unilingual in fulfilling immersion teachers' needs, helping lessen conflict, and provide the leadership needed for program integration into the school…

Provides study results of the attitudes of first and second year foreign language students enrolled at historically Black colleges and universities toward foreign language study, and makes recommendations for improving the status of foreign language education at these institutions. (13 references) (GLR)

Transition stress is intensified for students entering not just a new school, but a new country. Educators can help adolescent immigrants by providing access to information, supporting English language and academic development (via newcomer schools and sheltered English content programs), and promoting access to postsecondary education. (MLH)

Abstracts of three research projects (1996-1998) funded by the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department: "Foreign Languages in the Upper Secondary School: A Study of the Causes of Decline" (McPake, Johnstone, Low); "Teachers' ICT Skills and Knowledge Needs" (Williams, Wilson, Richardson, Tuson, Coles); and…

This article describes the evolution of distance learning in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction from the 1970s to the present, focusing on the "guided didactic conversation" model of Holmberg (1983, 1986), examples of distance learning ESL programs, and a new model of distance learning based on computers and electronic communication.…

Explores the second-language learning process from the point of view of what early childhood educators need to know to understand and help young second-language-learners. Discusses types of programs for preschoolers whose home language is not English and the developmental sequence of second-language acquisition. Considers issues of supporting…

Almost since the moment the Berlin Wall crumbled, American schools' interest in teaching Russian did likewise. But precisely because the numbers of Russian learners fell off sharply, Glastonbury and the few other schools that have stuck with the language are finding their students very much in demand. In this article, the author reports how…

What happens to English academic achievement when valued class time is devoted to a foreign language in the elementary schools (FLES) program? Is there a reduction in achievement as suggested by a time-on-task hypothesis, or is there some form of compensation, as suggested by additive bilingualism? The school district in this study started a FLES…