Describes a regional effort in Northern California to provide high quality French instruction for kindergarten through sixth grade in cooperation with the public schools. The role of the National French Contest as motivation and as a learning experience for the students is also discussed. (MSE)

Research findings on the impact of language and studies with bilingual students learning mathematics are summarized. Suggestions for taking account of the influence of culture on learning, language switching, encouraging bilingualism, and supportive environments are discussed, with 13 implications presented. (MNS)

Reports on the new foreign language requirements at the University of Minnesota. These requirements include establishing entrance standards and strengthening the graduation requirements, both of which are based on language proficiency. Workshops to train teachers in testing under the ACTFL Provisional Proficiency Guidelines are described. (SED)

Secondary school French immersion programs in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are outlined, and some causes of student attrition are discussed. Institutional, societal, and individual variables are related to the situation; suggestions on provisions for immersion students' special French language needs on the postsecondary level are offered. (AMH)

Argues that there is a growing need for professionally oriented English as a second language (ESL) instruction in American colleges, universities, and companies, which should combine aspects of both ESL and English for Special Purposes (ESP) in what here is called "generalized ESP." Two illustrations of this approach are discussed. (SED)

Discusses the Piedmont Export Expansion Program that was formed to establish a cooperative program between businesses engaged in foreign commerce and regional institutions of higher education. The purpose is to further develop, through a series of seminars, workshops, and regular academic instruction, international trade for the Piedmont area of…

A course designed to establish interpersonal communication as the context for learning French and focusing on rhythm of communication as the course's primary objective is described. (MSE)

Describes two research assignments designed to develop business skills in a college commercial French course. The assignments required students to use reference works in the business section of the library and to do a project on one corporation doing business in France. An annotated bibliography on multinational corporations is included. (SED)

What is wrong in the American parochialism about foreign languages is the assumption that language acquisition is a cosmetic gain, without any immediate or forseeable practical use. Languages will only be learned effectively when Americans learn that they can be used in getting tasks accomplished. (MSE)

Reports the findings of a nationwide survey of U.S. students majoring in a foreign language who study, work, and travel abroad. Presents a profile of these students which includes demographic characteristics, a description of motivational characteristics, the nature of intended international experience, the length of intended experience and its…

There are many indications that campuses consider the improvement of international education to be of paramount importance. Proposals reflect an interest in an infusion of international perspectives into curricula, the enhancement of competencies for business and teaching, and instruction in foreign languages. (MLW)

Describes an elementary school foreign language program in Oklahoma. Classes are taught before and after school by parents, and costs are borne by individual tuition payments. Students learn to correlate words with actions and take part in foreign language games, songs, and dialogues. (TE)

Argues that problems with English as second language programs in Arab world stem from failures in policy planning, rather than from failures of implementation of these plans. Some crucial considerations previously ignored are sociolinguistic setting of the foreign (English) language and fit between department goals, programs, and curricula on the…

Contending that the recommendations of the Commission on Excellence in Education cannot apply to all schools, the author argues against requirements including computer science, foreign language, and additional mathematics and science courses for all students. The quality of United States education is concluded to be higher than recent publicity…

This guide provides a road map for Connecticut school districts as they develop and implement a world languages program appropriate for the 21st century. It describes what students should know and be able to do at various grade levels and stages of language learning. The five chapters include the following: (1) "Introduction" (overview…