This study identifies the characteristics in several models of curriculum design that may be appropriate in the teaching of modern foreign language students for school practice. The study concludes that no one mode is ideal and that an eclectic approach is desirable. (15 references) (CK)

Discusses three obstacles to interdisciplinary cooperation in education: (1) compartmentalization of teachers and teaching, (2) reluctance of educators to tackle the problem, and (3) difficulties in intraschool and intrasystem communication. Recommends collecting, expanding, and sharing curricular components to achieve the goal. (PMJ)

A book entitled "Interactive French Language Curricula of the Future: A Study of Computer and Video Potential" by Lydie Meunier-Cinko is summarized. Some examples of current computer and video use are outlined, with language skill applications discussed, and future design of interactive language curricula is examined. (MSE)

Examines the changes in the literature department of modern language curriculum and assesses their significance in terms of the past and future of literature as a component of the modern languages degree. The teaching of literature is trying to serve two masters: liberal humanism and utilitarianism. (32 references) (CK)

Reviewing the President's Commission recommendations, urges language departments to: make language teaching, rather than literary scholarship, their top priority; make intensive or immersion language courses part of the regular curriculum options; develop common standards of proficiency assessment; foster interaction among themselves; support…

Provides an overview of some issues arising from the experience of introducing the early teaching of modern languages in schools associated with the Kent Primary French Project. These issues transcend the immediate question of primary modern languages and bear directly upon some key themes in the reevaluation of primary organization and…

Asserts that to revitalize foreign language study we need: (1) a reevaluation of the setting in which foreign language programs exist; (2) uniform standards for initial student placement in foreign language programs; and (3) continual updating by teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors of the objectives, methodology, and content of the…

Describes curricular changes in a private Japanese university's English department, and explores the curricula typical of such programs. The new program's three major features, including a freshman English program, a content study, and graduation papers and theses are highlighted. (12 references) (Author/CB)

Sets out the advantages of a functional/notional syllabus as opposed to a grammatical syllabus. Presents topics around which to build a functional/notional syllabus in teaching college-level French. Makes suggestions, based on students' perception of their communicative needs, for the sequencing of these materials. (PMJ)

The aim of this article is to explain what the term "languages for special purposes" means and what it does not mean, to outline the rationale for such a branch of language teaching and to indcate some of the problems it poses for syllabus planners and course designers. Four principal types of problems and considerations are identified and…

This article discusses the incompatibility between the goal of communicative competence (defined more narrowly as minimal approximative communicative competence) and current practices of syllabus design, and suggests more relevant alternatives. Foreign language instruction is still dominated by the teaching of language structure for its own sake,…

Bilingual education and the teaching of foreign languages are the topics of this issue. Several columns discuss programs and services of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Nassau County. In bilingual education, the following articles are included: (1) "Regents Position Paper: Title VII Guidelines"; (2) "From SED - A…