Existing programs using language immersion strategies for teaching language-minority children in the United States are described. In those programs, instruction is conducted in English at a level understood by the limited-English-speaking students, the teacher is bilingual in the non-English home language, the teacher generally speaks only in…

A fact sheet on foreign language immersion programs, in which the regular school curriculum is taught partially or entirely in a foreign language, briefly discusses the following: (1) the structure and goals of immersion instruction; (2) the introduction of English instruction; (3) the eventual effect of immersion instruction on verbal and…

Since bilingual education became an official government mandate, there has been much controversy regarding its philosophy, objectives, procedures, and effectiveness. Some educators choose to view bilingual education as transitory, and other educators believe minority students should be given bilingual instruction throughout their public school…

This paper reviews the results of research on various programs for learning French as a second language from kindergarten to grade 11 or 12 in selected Canadian school systems. Generally, it examines the effects of a number of factors on French learning, such as student selection procedures and student ability, starting age, total amount of time…

A formative evaluation wae made of immersion weekends sponsored by the French center to determine how improvements in the role of monitors can enhance the oral production of students. Two weekends were observed and some in-service training with evaluator and monitors was held between the weekends. Three instruments were used to categorize and…

A partial immersion bilingual (English-Ukrainian) program which included Grades 1 to 3 was examined to determine: (1) the program students' achievement in mathematics, English and Ijrainian; (2) the attitudes of parents and program personnel toward the program; (3) the program students' level of cognitive development; and (4) reasons students left…

This study represents an attempt to describe the second-language competence of English-speaking children who are learning French as a second language. The performance of fourth- and sixth-grade children taking part in a French immersion program was compared to that of French-speaking children of the same age using an elicited imitation task. The…

This study explores: (1) on the theoretical level, the relationship of certain personality characteristics to second language learning among young children; and (2) on the practical level, if the bases parents use for deciding whether to enroll their child in a second language program are well-founded. In their kindergarten year, 63 French…

This paper examines the role of selected affective, cognitive and social factors in second language acquisition, in an attempt to define a group of factors associated with success in second language learning within the formal educational system. Also examined is the effect of different teaching programs on an optimal group of factors. (CLK)

Presents results of the fourth evaluation of trilingual school programs in French, Hebrew, and English being offered on an experimental basis in several elementary schools in Montreal. (Author/AM)

The results of an evaluation of a New Brunswick elementary school immersion program show that native speakers of English do not achieve the same proficiency in French language skills as they do in English. This is due to their limited exposure to native French speaking models outside the classroom. (MSE)

An overview of some basic issues underlying the national debate on bilingual education: its history, goals, and political implications. Contrasts the maintenance and transitional approaches. Argues that bilingual education is a civil rights and an equity issue, an essential part of multicultural education. (LHW)

Bilingual education is inherently political because it involves power relations between dominant and dominated groups. Effective anti-racist bilingual programs will be vehemently resisted by the dominant group despite research evidence because they threaten the power of the dominant group. (LHW)

Native speakers (N=10), comprehension class students (N=10), traditionally instructed students (N=10), and controls (N=10) were evaluated for quality of German accent. While native speakers most frequently received excellent ratings, students in the comprehension class (which featured immersion techniques) were rated higher than traditionally…

Discusses the schooling of Mexican American and Puerto Rican children in U.S. schools prior to 1960. Describes policies that aimed to force acculturation, ban the use of Spanish, and channel Hispanic children into programs that virtually guaranteed that they would pursue low status occupations. (GC)