Instead of viewing English learners as a problem needing remediation, educators should build an enriched bilingual program for all students. In successful two-way programs, both language groups stay together throughout the school day, serving as peer tutors for each other. After five or six years, English learners can demonstrate English and…

Describes weaknesses in the sociolinguistic competence of second-language (L2) learners as documented by research in immersion contexts. The article discusses findings with reference to adolescent native speakers' use of question forms, conditionals, and second-person pronouns across two levels of formality in written and oral productions. (48…

Considers various factors relating to the failure of recent Canadian graduates of French immersion programs to make substantial use of French immediately following their schooling. The article presents some case studies of adult Canadians engaged in maintaining or improving their French skills. (29 references) (Author/CK)

Describes and critiques a National Endowment for the Humanities-funded summer graduate program at the University of Minnesota for preservice and inservice teachers of French, German, and Spanish. The program combines a language immersion approach in content-based classes with a pedagogical component. (Author/JL)

To address deficiencies in basic skills, a Florida middle school is piloting a program that immerses 75 students in a mastery-learning curriculum centered around reading, writing, basic language arts, and functional math. The program covers science and social studies thematically and has a social/personal skill development unit. The principal's…

Thirteen Kaska Elders took a leading role in a University of British Columbia Kaska language course held in three locations in Kaska territory in the Yukon. The elders conducted a variety of cultural activities, and entire families participated, creating an environment in which the language was constantly spoken and relevant to the activities.…

Reports a study carried out on bilingual adolescents in a school in the Basque Country in which the language of instruction is Basque. Spanish and English are taught starting in Grade 3. Results show that all students are highly competent in Basque and Spanish, but students who use Basque in more domains get the best scores in English. (Author/VWL)

Evaluates differences between immersion and non-immersion university-level students' willingness to communicate, communication apprehension, perceived competence, and frequency of communicating . Also examines elements of integrative motivation. Differences between immersion and non-immersion groups are observed in the communication-related…

Analysis of Ontario standardized-test scores indicates that French-immersion students, who had lagged behind regular English-program students in grade 3, had comparable or higher achievement scores in reading, writing, and mathematics by grade 6. Little support was found for possible explanations involving selective attrition of weaker students…

Examined Grade 8 French immersion students use and accuracy of pronominal verbs within one of two tasks--jigsaw or dictogloss--while working in pairs. Two groups of students viewed a videotaped mini-lesson on pronominal verbs, while another two did not. Found that the mini-lesson had a significant impact on students' use of pronominal verbs in…

The image problems and enrollment challenges facing Canada's francophone university centers are outlined, and measures for improving public perceptions of the minority-language institutions are discussed. (MSE)

Examines the provision of Catalan and the use of Catalan as a medium of instruction in Catalonia's education system at all levels. A discussion focuses on whether resources and the support from the community are sufficient, and whether the policy favors Catalan aggressively enough to prevent Castilian remaining always the dominant partner. (22…

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)…

As East Asian countries continue to develop into major powers in the economic world, students come to Indiana University's East Asian Summer Language Institute to improve their chances for careers in those countries in international law, teaching, and business. Advice on proper etiquette is also included. (MLW)