Describes the University of Tennessee's experimental program for teaching French to children, using videotape, by teachers with no knowledge of the target language. Rationale, goals, and teaching techniques are described for the generally well-received program. (Author/CB)

New foreign language department chairpersons, although good teachers and scholars, often lack administrative training or skills for their new positions. Critical areas that new chairpersons must tackle include relationships with deans and other administrators, their administrative persona, and their use of institutional and professional…

Presents responses from four-year (N=1,481) and two-year (N=1,010) higher education institutions to a survey of foreign language entrance and degree requirements. Changes over the years in college requirements are compared, and directories of institutions with language requirements are listed. (CB)

One instructor's experiences teaching French to prison inmates is recounted. Descriptions of the students, instructional environment, limitations of the textbook, and student creativity are accompanied by a quantitative analysis of the inmates' academic achievement. Their grades did not differ noticeably from those of students taught by the author…

In an attempt to address diversity, students at the University of California established a task force in 1991 to promote German among students from underrepresented groups. This report outlines the major objectives and achievements of the task force in its first year. (four references) (Author/LB)

To establish preliminary baselines in terms of instruction time and the teaching methodology used, the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview was administered as a final exam to all University of Michigan first- through fourth-semester German students. After one and also after three semesters, the majority of students were Intermediate Mid; after four…

Although most colleges appear to offer English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses as no-credit, remedial courses, such classes are not really remedial in nature. Offering credit for ESL classes could increase student motivation and would not devalue or lower academic standards. (CB)

A professionally oriented language course at the University of New South Wales (Australia) is described that is designed for students who have studied German in high school and wish to continue studying it to enhance their employment prospects. Both linguistic proficiency and German business culture are emphasized. (LB)

Different approaches to the question of how to invite broader participation by minorities in language study are discussed. It is noted that language study must be connected to job opportunity, build on minority students' affinity with other cultures, teach language as a living tool, and encourage mentor-protege relations. (Contains four…

Examines the implications for foreign language and literature teachers and teacher training programs of three recent major reports on teaching, highlighting the relevance of three centrally important themes: improved subject matter preparation; setting of standards; and minority recruitment. (10 references) (CB)

An overview of the place of modern Chinese literature in Western academic studies precedes suggestions about new texts to add to the established body of Chinese literature typically studied to expand understanding of the many facets of Chinese culture. (18 references) (CB)

Describes the second-year French program at the University of California, Berkeley, which attempts to bridge the gap between intermediate language courses and upper-division writing courses by incorporating such strategies as semantic mapping to promote higher-level thinking, help students to organize their writing, and foster the development of…

Focuses on the role of the foreign-language department chair at American institutions of higher education. The article encourages foreign-language chairs to assume their roles of fund-raiser, program developer, and entrepreneur and to view them as a blessing in disguise. (nine references) (CK)

Discusses a National Foreign Language Center survey of 240 randomly-selected higher-education Spanish programs on the availability and the nature of programming for heritage speakers of Spanish. The survey queried the need for such programming and challenges to meeting needs of heritage learners. Results are discussed. (Author/VWL)

Gives an account of the challenges, obstacles, and successes involved in the process of merging an English and a foreign language department at Mansfield University n Pennsylvania. (Author/VWL)