Four ideas for French language instruction are described, including an exercise in summarizing or retelling something told to one; an exercise in descriptive and expressive language; an exploration of the different uses of the word "cadre"; and activities related to coffee in different cultures. (MSE)

A survey of secondary students, French language teachers, managers, and university students in Buenos Aires (Argentina) gives insight into the role of French there and reasons for studying it. Students in general appreciated the language for its aesthetic aspects, managers and teachers for its contribution to culture in general. (MSE)

Discusses the development and implementation of an instructional unit that applies selected whole language strategies to teach reading and writing in the beginning stages of literacy in French. The unit shows how an authentic folktale can be used for integrating topics from the elementary curriculum to form a second-language curriculum for an…

Assesses Nigeria's efforts to achieve mother-tongue literacy for its citizens. Describes Nigeria's complicated sociolinguistic landscape, national language policies, and the Ife experimental project, studying the use of the mother tongue in primary schools. Points to nonlinguistic factors in educational success, including parental background,…

This article examines the nature of language education and the national curriculum for language education in Italian elementary and secondary schools. Analysis of the curriculum shows the place given to the development of language awareness and of conscious knowledge of language in Italian schools. (seven references) (MDM)

This article describes the development and implementation of a low-cost self-access language center for students and faculty participating in English for Science and Technology (EST) courses at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua, Leon. It discusses the phasing-in of self-access facilities, learner preparation and training, and staff…

A series of classroom instructional exercises to be used before, during, and after reading materials from the French press are described. The exercises are designed to develop a variety of reading strategies, and focus on format, construction, content, meaning, and vocabulary. Both reading and writing activities are included. (MSE)

Discusses the process of developing a communicative reading/writing test based on authentic materials for university students in economics, political science, or law who are nonnative English speakers. (27 references) (CFM)

A study of French immersion teacher education programs at Simon Fraser University and Faculte Saint-Jean (University of Alberta) in Canada is reported. The in-depth case studies examined program clientele, models, participant experiences and needs, and planning, especially in relation to current research on teacher education. (Author/MSE)

Existing empirical research on core French instruction is reviewed, and research directions are proposed in four areas: program design, program objectives and outcomes, curriculum issues, and teacher education. Experimentation with alternative instructional designs for delivery of core French is seen as a high priority. (84 references) (Author/MSE)

It is proposed that intercultural creative writing exercises can be conducted using the fax machine to communicate between schools, even in different countries. Specific themes and activities for French second-language writing projects are outlined. (MSE)

The issue of language variation is examined from three perspectives: the political view of nonnative varieties as examples of power; the anthropological view of language as an aspect of culture; and the pedagogical view of English as a static entity across cultures. Studies of teacher-training programs and teacher-trainee attitudes are included.…

Two major initiatives have influenced language teaching programs in the United States and Canada. The U.S. model is based on preestablished descriptions of language proficiency for different levels, whereas the Canadian model adopts a multidimensional approach emphasizing content more than outcomes and highlighting culture. (SLD)

A study used factor analysis to categorize and describe learning strategies in 1,200 university students. Results are reported from the perspectives of information processing theory and social psychology, and specific implications for classroom practice are discussed. (44 references) (MSE)

Discusses whether the proficiency approach to teaching Arabic, which is now advocated, is really functional enough to suit true needs of students, and whether the debate concerning proficiency is becoming so polarized as to make impossible real discussion of the issues. Trends and changes that have occurred in the Arabic language over the decades…