This book considers the past, present and future directions of innovation in US-based Intensive English Programs (IEPs), which provide international students with an immersion-style environment for learning academic English, prior to matriculating into a full-time college or university degree program. IEPs frequently serve as sites for pre-service…

Because idioms are omnipresent in the authentic language students are exposed to, to successfully comprehend and produce natural language, learners of a second or foreign language need to possess a good knowledge of idioms and competence in idiom use. This paper examines the approaches to teaching and learning idioms. A discussion of the…

Suggests foreign language teachers can use comparison of physical life in the relevant country with that in the United States as way to sharpen understanding of other cultures and encourage participation in foreign study programs. Uses Germany as an example. (Author/BK)

Describes suggestopedia and sophrology techniques and shows how to apply them within the limitations of the traditional foreign language classroom. Cites beginning French classes at Scarborough College as an example of these techniques improving class atmosphere and student motivation. (EKN)

Discusses the pros and cons of the Dartmouth Intensive Language Model (DILM) and offers some advice on introducing such a program in any language. Concludes that DILM-trained students do learn to communicate more effectively than traditionally taught beginners. (EKN)

Conceptual guidelines for the design of new secondary school French second language programs are outlined, in response to the need for an instructional model to accommodate Alberta's increasing anglophone enrollment in French immersion programs. The first section chronicles the evolution of the concept of language and second language instructional…

Discusses the importance of fairness in evaluation studies of second-language programs and the potential for misinterpretation of studies which are not program-fair. Strategies designed to overcome this problem from the perspective of standardized tests include: specific tests for each program, program-specific plus program-neutral measures,…

Argues that video material for foreign language teaching should be designed to serve as model for immediate language production and not just for listening comprehension and culture. Describes some classroom strategies for use with video instruction. (EKN)

Five units of instruction for teaching vocabulary and higher order thinking skills in foreign language classes are presented. Introductory material considers the differences between language fluency and communication, and lists higher order thinking skills as: (1) classifying, verifying, hypothesizing; (2) making associations and generalizing; (3)…

This detailed guide is for new teaching assistants (T.A.'s) teaching elementary French at the college level. Individual sections address the following topics: (1) the first day of class (including forms to be distributed to students); (2) written exams (policies regarding contributions, exam procedures, and corrections); (3) oral exam of the…

Discusses the importance of paying attention to the psychological and emotional needs of students as learners in a group in order to promote more effective second-language learning. (EKN)

Explains how traditional materials available to most teachers can be a point of departure for a program which focuses on communicative competence and suggests ways of incorporating computer programs, slide/sound presentations, and conversational activities into the curriculum. (EKN)

Proposes a model of immersion strategy based on an emphasis on communication and on the use of a great variety of teaching techniques. (AM)

Describes a one-semester French course taught by undergraduates and offered to elementary school students. The course stresses basic French vocabulary, a variety of interesting activities such as skits and songs, and parent participation through a "parents' night." (AM)

Discusses the European Community's languages program, LINGUA. Describes hopes of dismantling foreign language barriers and facilitating the free movement of persons and ideas and the growth of firms and trade. Notes that the program includes continuing education of language teachers, student exchange, innovation in teaching methods, and…