An approach to teaching the rudiments of amateur journalism in an intensive language (Brazilian Portuguese) program component of a university Masters of International Business Studies program is reported. Ways that such a project can contribute to the fostering of a communicative language teaching curriculum are discussed. (LB)

Teaching methods based on activity-centered learning applicable to ESL, French, and immersion programs are examined. Examples are given of activities fostering learning both in the classroom and on excursions, along with the psycholinguistic principles on which they are based. (MSE)

The modified American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Educational Testing Service (ACTFL/ETS) oral proficiency scale was developed in response to a request from the New Brunswick (Canada) Department of Education for assistance in comparing the results of its French immersion and core programs. Because the existing ACTFL/ETS academic…

In its first year, the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program combined kindergarten and first-grade students in two classes. About half of the students had no speaking knowledge of Hawaiian; the remainder had attended Hawaiian-language preschools and/or spoke Hawaiian at home. Both teachers, fluent speakers of Hawaiian, were new to teaching. The…

The experience of Wales and Canada with various techniques of bilingual education, and the application of first language acquisition principles to second language acquisition, are outlined and discussed with regard to the kind of communication skills sought. (MSE)

Describes schedules and activities of the summer and weekend foreign language immersion programs at the State University of New York College at New Paltz. Gives some highlights of last summer's program. (EKN)

The French immersion experience in Montreal, since its inception in 1965, is considered highly successful. Despite critics who note that its results fall short of perfect bilingualism, French immersion has achieved what it set out to accomplish: functional bilingual competencies. In doing so, French immersion has challenged many assumptions about…

Reports on evaluation studies of the French proficiency of graduates of early- and late-entry immersion programs in Ottawa and Carleton, describes the tests used, and interprets results. The report also examines the students' perceptions of their ability to participate effectively in out-of-school situations using all four language skills. (MSE)

A program of English instruction to speakers of other languages (ESOL) designed specifically for students with disabilities is described. The program is based on the Ulpan philosophy, developed in Israel to teach Hebrew culture to immigrants. It is operated by a private organization serving individuals with disabilities, in two Philadelphia…

This collection of papers is a resource for classroom teachers and program administrators who want to know not only what the communicative approach to language teaching is all about but how the goal of communicative competence is being met in teaching contexts similar to their own. Papers and authors include: "Functional Approaches to…

A collection of papers concerning college language instruction and exploring issues related to promoting communicative skills and cross-cultural understanding includes the following titles: (1) "Languages at College: The Student and the Curriculum," by W. M. Rivers; (2) "Dimensions of Communicative Proficiency," by A. Ramirez; (3) "Communicative…

In response to rapidly falling foreign language enrollments, the State University of New York College at New Paltz designed and actively promoted a language immersion program in the summer of 1981. The program consisted of instruction in twelve languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian,…

Alberta's teaching guide for upper-elementary French immersion instruction provides assistance in integrating notional program content with communicative language techniques. It does not provide content material, but focuses on techniques for enhancing instruction of both receptive (reading and listening) and productive (writing and speaking)…

A collection of readings on communicative language teaching explains what communicative language teaching is and how the goal of communicative competence is being met by teachers. The following articles are included:"Functional Approaches to Language and Language Teaching: Another Look" (Margie S. Berns); "Contextual Considerations in…

The five numbers of this journal for foreign language teachers include these articles: "Articulation: Beyond the Syllabus"; "Total Immersion in French at the Elementary School Level: An Observer's Report"; "'Columbus Countdown 1992' Announces a Cultural Project in New York City"; "Revising the Scope and Content…