As illustrated in media articles, France is in a political, ideological, and cultural identity crisis. Events within and outside Europe and world migration patterns have worked together to create a confusion of national role, destiny, citizenry, and traditional institutions. (MSE)

The relationship between television and education in France is discussed, with reference to the arguments of several detractors and a recent report suggesting that there may be a number of ways in which the two "largest institutions in France" can benefit from each other. (MSE)

The International Society for the History of French as a Foreign or Second Language (SIHFLES) had a fruitful meeting in 1990, planning a substantial and diversified program of activities that illustrates the dynamism of the organization. One topic of considerable debate was the role of research in the association's mission. (MSE)

Discusses the close relationship between study of language and of culture when attention is centered on a native speaker's discourse and methods of using recordings to increase students' language skills. These perspectives are illustrated by reference to taped recordings available from Cassettes Radio France. (AMH)

Designed to assist French instructors in introducing France to their students, this guidebook provides an annotated list of over 300 audio-visual materials and realia that are available on a free-loan basis. The guide lists films, videotapes, filmstrips, slide collections, pamphlets, factsheets, posters, records, tapes, and booklets available in…

A conference held at Cluny (France), an ancient gathering place of scholars, brought together diplomats, linguists, information scientists, and academics from 17 countries to discuss the role of languages in the newly formed European Community and the paradox of unification amidst great cultural diversity. (MSE)

Criticizes the present state of foreign language learning for French engineering students. Suggests possible solutions. (JM)

An English/French school exchange program provided opportunities for cooperation between language and humanities faculties. A shopping survey was prepared and French pupils conducted street interviews in England. Ideas for activities resulted from cross-faculty interaction. (DH)

The evolution of heritage education in France is chronicled, from its introduction in the late 1980s through an emergence of interest in the Council of Europe, and to a series of 30 or so experiments conducted cooperatively by France and Italy, including international exchanges. Cultural, educational, and human benefits are examined. (MSE)

The impact and cultural implications of the French Minitel and Teletel system are discussed, and second language clasroom applications are examined. These electronic instruments were developed for nationwide transmission of computerized data using small television-like terminals connected by modem to existing telephone circuits. Wise marketing…

Discusses the use of fairy tales in intermediate and advanced French courses as source material for discussion of French cultural values and traditional behavior patterns. Methods of analyzing values in a fairy tale and implementation in the classroom are discussed using "Le Petit Chaperon Rouge" as an example. (AMH)

A guide to the use of foreign license plates and car markings in foreign language instruction gives suggestions for introducing license plates as a source of cultural, historical, and geographic information and lists the automobile license plate symbols (alphabetic and numerical) of Austria, France, East and West Germany, Spain, and Switzerland…

An environmental awareness language exchange program was established between an English school and a school in France. Although the exchange occurred for three years, the program became overprescriptive and was cancelled. Concludes that environmental awareness is learned best in less formal situations. (DH)

The U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service Institute French Familiarization and Short-Term (FAST) course for personnel working and living in France consists of 10 weeks of French language instruction combined with practical and cultural information. An introductory section outlines FAST course objectives and sample teaching techniques in…

In a program linking French, U.S., and Japanese secondary schools through telecommunications, Japanese students explained to their foreign peers, in French, the cultural conditions in their country at the time of Christopher Columbus and today. The real-time cultural contact and students' discovery of their communicative ability were program…