Describes an introductory language course for middle school students that begins with a strong foundation in Latin and includes study of an array of second languages to give students a broad understanding of language structure and study. Notes curriculum, projects, and use of the Internet in the classroom. (JPB)

The push for the English-only literacy approach sends the wrong message to language-minority families. The Arlington (Virginia) Public Schools have established first-language pilot programs to accelerate Latino students' academic achievement and have welcomed community-based educational initiatives. A family-literacy program motivates parents to…

Describes the language skills gains made by elementary students who have been in Latin classes in schools through the country. (IRT)

The teaching of Latin to verbally precocious students enhances their vocabulary and linguistic competence in English and prepares them for study of other foreign languages. The ideal curriculum would feature: instruction from fourth through twelfth grade; teachers experienced in teaching Latin and gifted students; and intensive language programs.…

The goals of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania school district's fourth- through sixth-grade Latin program are to extend the English verbal capabilities of children, broaden their cultural horizons, enable students to understand and speak Latin within an appropriate cultural context, and stimulate interest in the study of modern and classical foreign…

During a merger, an Australian high school was designated as specializing in foreign languages and developed a program consisting of six languages (French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese). The program is described, focusing on admission policies, testing procedures, program design and administration, facilities, and…

A career-oriented foreign language program is discussed that takes into account marketable skills of foreign language majors for a number of careers. The program is threefold. First, it recognizes the need for language skills to supplement technical, business, and professional skills to expand educational knowledge; capabilities in diplomacy and…

This publication presents the foreign language profession's consensus on selected topics and is designed to address areas of interest to instructional leaders and practitioners who are concerned with developing and maintaining effective second language programs. The topics are grouped into four sections: "Preparing for the…

This report presents information on 51 current innovative foreign language projects and programs for grades K-12. Information was collected by means of a year-long, national survey of continuing language programs, which involved announcements in journals, newsletters, and other publications; form letters to program supervisors; an ERIC search; a…

The second language education program of Glastonbury, Connecticut, considered to be an exemplary program in a modest community, is profiled and discussed. Since the 1950s in this system, all students study at least one foreign language, beginning in elementary school. Course offerings, which have changed little since that time, include Spanish,…