New York City has been increasing its high school bilingual program aimed at easing the transition faced by non-English speakers. Immigrants are given special courses in English, while at the same time they take the regular content-area courses in their native language. (LRA)

A study conducted in Hong Kong investigated whether the native or a second language is a more effective medium of instruction. Students' performance and a survey of teacher opinions were used to compare Chinese middle schools and Anglo-Chinese schools. (MKM)

Argues that two forms of leadership exist currently in college and university foreign language departments: the top publishing and public-speaking scholars; and the people who chair the departments, dealing with the daily business of staffing courses and working with faculty and administrators. Suggests the two types of leaders operate in…

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at Pace University (New York) has responded to uneven language enrollments by developing two new majors: (1) modern languages and cultures, in which students must demonstrate proficiency in any two modern languages offered, and (2) language, culture, and world trade, an interdisciplinary applied…

Presents the results of the Modern Language Association's fall 1995 survey of foreign language registrations in American institutes of higher education. Results are presented in tabular form and are broken down by grade level, language studied, and comparison with prior years. The survey contains data on commonly and less commonly taught…

High-ability (n=97) and average-ability students (n=84) were asked to read a Spanish passage on a computer and use glosses provided for certain words to aid in comprehension or create glosses using a Spanish-English dictionary and annotation software (experimental task). High-ability students performed significantly better after the experimental…

Argues that, because of the increase in non-White, nonmainstream, minority college students, it is time to make minority teachers part of the mainstream in departments of foreign languages. Information is provided on the types of minorities found in foreign language departments, why they are considered minorities, and their recruitment and…

An Ontario language teachers' association survey of school boards concerning projected staffing needs, status of current core and immersion French programs, planned expansion and development, and areas of particular need for qualified French second-language teachers is summarized. Data and issues raised by respondents are presented. (Author/MSE)

A study compared immersion and nonimmersion learning environments, as perceived by students, in 95 New Brunswick grade 6, 7, and 9 classes. In grade 6, no significant differences in perception were found; in grade 7, immersion students see their environment more positively; and in grade 9, the differences seem to disappear. (25 references)…

Presents a conservative assessment of the introduction of microcomputers to assist English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction. New York University's American Language Institute's experiences with microcomputers and word processing programs are reported, and an effective, specialized taxonomy of applications of word processing to ESL…

Outlines the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) entrance testing and course placement procedures for the ESL program at the United Nations International School for grades 6-12. The placement procedures can serve as guidelines for administrators looking for ways to establish an ESL program or supplement the effectiveness of their ESL testing and…

Describes and evaluates a two-week intensive French course designed to rebuild the eroded language skills of university students who had had at least two years of high school French. The program, which could be implemented for other languages, provides a complete review of major grammar points and vocabulary. (CB)

Offers an account of the teaching of French and German in English elementary schools between 1872 and 1904. Argues that French and German became established in the curriculum during this period. Examines the decline of modern language study at the elementary level relative to the Board of Education's policy. (KO)

Attributes the success of Pacific University's popular Asian Languages program to an interdisciplinary collaboration effort and outside funds, allowing for various multifaceted activities that broadened program support. (CB)

This article discusses issues involved in second language testing at the secondary school level in Britain. It focuses on the rationale for second language testing and the need to address criticisms of language tests, such as test validity and authenticity of tasks. (nine references) (MDM)