Since 2005, the Chinese government has vigorously extended influence over American education. While well-researched in some areas, that influence is merely noted elsewhere. This report fills a gap in previous work by examining the role of Mandarin education in Communist China, how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) developed language as a tool of…

The following interview was conducted with Catherine Elder in spring of 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. Cathie has had a varied career in language testing, including work at universities in Australia and New Zealand and at the Language Testing Resource Center in Melbourne. In this interview, Cathie shares some highlights of her somewhat…

High-quality dual language immersion (DLI) programs can be a key lever to provide every student with a pathway to multilingualism. The Dual Language Immersion Playbooks (DLI Playbooks) provide a roadmap for the creation, design and adoption of policies, processes, programs, and practices that state educational agencies (SEAs), local educational…

In an effort to become more competitive in the global market, Colombia, as many other Latin American countries, has declared English the dominant foreign language to be taught in schools and universities across the country. To support this measure, in the last 16 years, the government, through its National Ministry of Education, has launched a…

President Bush's National Security Language Initiative focuses narrowly on gearing language education to security and military needs. English educators should work with their counterparts in foreign language departments to promote a broader view, one that encourages study of the multiple language groups that currently exist within the United…

In his examination of successful innovation and change in education in many settings, Fullan (2001) identifies the three broad options for effecting change that public authorities have at their disposal. They can seek to bring about change through imposing accountability (system-wide or targeted), or through providing incentives (either…

Discusses, with reference to the covert policy goals of the American refugee program, the failure of U.S. Refugee Training Centers to facilitate Southeast Asian refugees' self-sufficiency after resettlement in the United States. Five characteristics of covert policy show how such covert policies have ensured their programs' ineffectiveness.…

A recent research project on foreign language needs in the Netherlands and an international seminar on foreign language needs are the basis for a discussion of two issues: (1) whether it is possible to quantify foreign language needs, and (2) whether suitable educational provisions can be made to meet those needs. (MSE)

In the new Europe of greater cooperation and integration between states, the relationship between national identity and national language will require reappraisal. This paper argues for language teaching that includes culture learning because intercultural communication includes political and ethical issues. (19 references) (Author/LB)

The history and impact of the University of New Brunswick's 1983 French Language Policy, calling for courses to be offered in French in a number of disciplines, are discussed. Despite unanimous support by the deans and a large population of eligible students, courses continue to have low enrollment. (Author/MSE)

Research that informed an intergovernmental colloquium on the teaching of Italian in the United Kingdom in 1992 is described. Concern about long-term provision is discussed in light of current reform outcomes, and recommendations are offered for improving foreign language policies. (17 references) (Author/LB)

The proceedings of the conference include the opening address (Francoise Cestac) and these papers: "False Friendship in International Language Planning" (Joseph L. Malone); "Guidelines for Terminology Standardization at the United Nations" (Marie-Josee Jastrab); "Language Policy at the Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et…

Professional groups and advisory commissions in international studies are part of a growing trend toward political awareness and activism in the scholarly and pedagogical professions. With a rejuvenated profession and an expanded public, it is up to these groups to use their professionalism and dedication to serve foreign languages. (Author/MSE)

This report provides information to guide establishment of state policy and practice on the use of microcomputers for foreign language instruction in Illinois schools. It consists of: (1) an overview of literature on the use of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in foreign language teaching, from early efforts at instruction with mainframe…

Examines how and why language policy decisions were made in Indiana from 1976 to 1995 and what the effect of those decisions was on the delivery of educational services to language minority students attending public schools. The article draws on legal documents and interviews with legislators and advocates to show the process and outcome of the…