Trends affecting the shape and scope of foreign language major programs involve: (1) accountability and explicitness of instructional goals; (2) the dichotomy between the pragmatic, market-oriented perception of language and the profession's view of the humanistic value of language study; and (3) a sense of realism in the climate of foreign…

Project planners and coordinators should consider twelve tips to ensure that English language training projects in developing countries will continue after external funding and high-cost aid personnel are removed. Involving local participants at all stages of the project, assuring future maintenance, and providing adequate incentives are some…

The United States' colleges and universities can promote the use of languages to develop understanding of other cultures by using languages in interdisciplinary modes, by studying the role of bilingual education in meeting language needs, and by helping with accurate assessment of national language needs--the basis for language policies. (JHZ)

A review of research on foreign language proficiency, constraints of language learning, and constraints of the learner suggests that current oral language proficiency standards and tests are more helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of a foreign language program than in evaluating the achievement of individual students. (CB)

An experimental program to individualize intermediate French instruction through specific, personalized work emphasizes oral language in the classroom, and reading, listening, and writing in its individualized portion. (MSE)

Outlines ways for postsecondary institutions to adapt entry requirements and develop new courses to meet the needs of two target groups with different language learning needs: functionally bilingual secondary immersion graduates and graduates of secondary foreign language programs who show interest in increasing proficiency in French. (MSE)

The administrative and pedagogical difficulties of implementing a communicative approach in a university French program are outlined, including student language needs and expectations, program organization and content, and implementing appropriate situations and practices. The question of whether a student can attain bilingualism at this level…

The purpose of this study was to provide information regarding the impact of the new English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) in California. In fall 2000, the program increased from 5 to 8 courses and went from a 30-unit to a 35-unit program. Districtwide, ESOL Program enrollment…

Enrollment in a foreign language course increasingly is becoming an essential part of college students' programs of study. As a result, there has been an influx of students with diverse backgrounds, interests, and aspirations enrolling in foreign language courses in order to fulfill degree requirements. Unfortunately, many students underachieve in…

One of the problems that continues to plague teachers of foreign languages at the secondary and university levels is the students' use of a "pony," or literal translation, to assist them in completing their translation assignments. Due to the wide availability of such translations and the tendency for students to choose the path of least…

Project CLASS (Chinese Language Achievement through Sequential Study), a federally-funded program, introduced the study of Chinese language and culture at Queen Ka'ahumanu Elementary School (Hawaii), forming the foundation of an instructional program to be continued through middle and high school, to meet state foreign language standards. In its…

Documents in the ERIC databases dealing with multicultural education and teacher preparation are listed. The documents report on multicultural education efforts at teacher training institutions that involve study abroad, community-based projects, ethnic studies programs, language immersion activities, and strategies for integrating multicultural…

The use of three new handbooks to study Russian classics in advanced college Russian classes is described. The handbooks are an effort to help students with vocabulary, cultural information, and idioms found in the original texts. (MSE)

Reports on survey conducted with support from the U.S. Department of Education to describe supply and demand for foreign language teachers in secondary schools, pre- and in-service teacher preparation, teacher workload, curriculum and instruction, professional responsibility and personal characteristics, as well as to derive policy advice for…

Describes an advanced, nonliterary Spanish course which can be adapted to high school classes. (EKN)