A FLES PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE EARLY, AND THUS BENEFIT FROM A LONG SEQUENCE OF STUDY WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO ACHIEVE CONTROL OVER THE LANGUAGE. FACTORS WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN PLANNING A FLES PROGRAM ARE GRADE LEVEL AT WHICH INSTRUCTION IS TO BEGIN, TIME TO BE ALLOTTED TO…

The main conditions necessary for the successful introduction of the early teaching of modern languages (ETML) are outlined. The processes that are usually involved in the introduction of ETML into a country or region are listed. Obstacles to the successful introduction of ETML and the role of European cooperation in overcoming obstacles are also…

Seventy-four grade 8 pupils in Hong Kong were randomly assigned to an experimental class, with English as the language of instruction, and to a control class, with Chinese as the language of instruction. Pupils in the immersion program were not hindered in academic achievement but did not improve second-language proficiency. (JHZ)

A multifaceted approach to meeting the target language writing needs of adult English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students was built on the learners' expertise and experience. The technique expanded learners' knowledge of the written code of government writing and developed their ability to analyze and edit their own writing. (Author/CB)

Gives results of a national survey of foreign language teachers, department chairpersons, and state coordinators and consultants to find out their most pressing questions about foreign language teaching and learning. Respondents' concerns included testing and evaluation, promoting interest in foreign language study, developing oral proficiency in…

This training module presents information, both specific and general, about including postsecondary students with deafness and hearing impairments in foreign language classes. First, a variety of reasons for making sure that students with hearing impairments are not excluded from foreign languages are covered, including the need for improving…

The report presents findings from a study into the causes for modern language enrollment decline in Scotland's high schools. Data were drawn from teacher, students, and administrator interviews in 12 school studies and a survey of modern language teachers and a sample of students from 100 schools taking standardized modern language exams. Results…

Describes schedules and activities of the summer and weekend foreign language immersion programs at the State University of New York College at New Paltz. Gives some highlights of last summer's program. (EKN)

Describes a successful reciprocal bilingual exchange program between Anglophone fourth-year high school students of Spanish and native speakers of Spanish in an elementary school. Plans and specific activities are outlined for weekly interactions which serve as a sociocultural and linguistic bridge between the two groups of Spanish speakers. (PMJ)

Analyzes 15 ongoing foreign language program articulation projects that demonstrate what can be accomplished toward establishing coherent sequences, goals, and assessments. (51 references) (CK)

Reviews available research on the effects of school-sponsored ethnic language programs on students' attitudes toward the ethnic language, their own ethnic group, and themselves. Studies indicate a generally positive effect of programs on attitudes, including attitudes toward speakers of other languages and other ethnic groups. Discusses findings…

This essay discusses the difficulties many English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students face when mainstreamed into academic content courses while still enrolled in ESL classes. The author demonstrates the benefits of pairing an ESL speech class with a content area course as a method for improving English language skills. (Contains 44 references.)…

A study of faculties of education in Canadian universities shows that the quality of French teacher training needs improvement and may run the risk of further deterioration. The tremendous student increase in French-as-a-Second-Language programs is already causing a gradual but serious shortage of French teachers. (Author/MSE)

Describes how the Department of Romance, German, and Russian Languages and Literatures at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), secured sponsorship for several Italian classes threatened by budget cuts from local and national Italian cultural organizations. The collaboration also helped make the CSULB Italian program more responsive to…

Middlebury College (Vermont) has initiated a program to develop computer and information networking competence among language faculty in many institutions so that they can better understand the relationship between technology and language pedagogy, become comfortable with multimedia materials in the language classroom, and collaborate on…