Research has shown that preservice teachers' beliefs are engrained and difficult to change through teacher education programs. Yet work to examine and improve teacher education shows programs can affect beliefs. Many programs use teaching practicums, but this research study examines a different experiential approach, structured language learning…

This essay examines textual engagement of two students during a Multiliteracies lesson on a French poem ("Liberté", Paul Eluard) in terms of the "multilingual subject" (Kramsch, 2009) and "the authentic speaker" (Van Compernolle, 2016). The case studies are based on personal data: (1) the students' autobiographies…

This qualitative study explored the impact of reading on writing in a collegiate French culture course that emphasized genre-based writing pedagogy. In particular, the study focused on how 19 advanced collegiate learners of French used model text resources in writing a letter-manifesto and what their perceptions were of participation in…

With todays' students spending increasing amounts of time involved in online activities, there is a growing need to study their online reading habits. Indeed, it is not only students' out-of-class engagement with electronic media that calls for increased attention to the reading skill, in general, and online reading, in particular, but it is also…

In this design case, we present an instructional design project that resulted in a French language learning game development system. What we describe here is not the game itself, but rather the pedagogical intervention that created what the design team termed a mobile "application farm," which in turn produced the game. The term…

Second language (L2) instruction in the United States has in recent history experienced significant change. Instead of emphasizing grammatical accuracy, L2 teachers are now asked to focus on developing student communication skills. Furthermore, L2 classrooms are being transformed via the growth of computer-mediated instruction. Traditional,…

A course (Learning a Second Language) is described that focuses on the experience of learning a second language: the communicative approach that led to learner-centered practices; course materials, objectives, and content; a learning guide to help students organize self-teaching activities; and learner reactions to the course. (23 references)…

Discusses how an intermediate-level French theater practicum helped students develop advanced language skills by focusing their attention on the performance aspects of Alfred Jarry's play "Ubu roi" rather than the traditional foreign language curriculum. (Contains 14 references.) (MDM)

A French course for graduate students and professors preparing for field work in West Africa is described. Difficulties included defining the context for the language's use, time constraints, and learners' job-orientation and tendency to set their own standards of performance. Students' preexisting knowledge of the subject was an advantage. (MSE)

The paper discusses the development and evolution of the French for Business undergraduate language course at Oregon State University, focusing on: (1) instructor preparation; (2) course structure; (3) course content; (4) the business student as teacher and mentor; (5) cultural exchanges with French-speaking business students; (6) oral and written…

The curriculum outline for the junior high school level of Nova Scotia's core French program concerns the period of more formal introduction to reading and writing. The guide outlines the overall elementary-secondary core French program structure, objectives of the intermediate level course, intended levels of language development, intended…

The curriculum guidelines for the high school level of Nova Scotia's core French program, intended for students planning to attend college or certain other postsecondary programs, are presented. The four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are integrated into all phases of classroom activity and the ability to…

Describes an inservice course for sixth-form teachers to examine ways of moving away from course books and discussing ways of getting pupils to be more competent orally, especially in the context of discussion issues as opposed to general conversation. Two intensive courses were used as the basis for the inservice day. (CK)

This article describes the evolution of a confluent language program, which provides simultaneous processes for successful language learning, self awareness, self appreciation, and interpersonal communication. The confluent language curriculum design has been successfully implemented in language classes throughout the United States and in some…