Poor retention rates for Core French, combined with the federal government's action plan to increase bilingualism in Canada, have led to the introduction of Intensive French (IF) in Grade 6 as an alternative for learning French. While anecdotal reports suggest that IF has no negative impact on English language skill development, empirical evidence…

Mindfulness has received increased attention recently in educational contexts as a tool helping students mitigate negative emotions, enhance resilience, reduce classroom anxiety, and improve academic performance. Although interventions that teach mindfulness principles have flourished in elementary school and university contexts, limited research…

This study focuses on the pedagogical applications of structural priming research in an English for academic purposes (EAP) context, investigating whether priming activities are an effective tool for eliciting production of target grammatical structures. University students across four EAP classes carried out a total of 6 information-exchange…

This article examines the oral proficiency in French of students in core French, intensive French (IF), and post-IF to determine the effectiveness of these programs. Between 2003 and 2009, students in nine jurisdictions were assessed using the New Brunswick Middle School Scale (MSS). Students were tested prior to beginning IF (multiple grade…

This article examines why students participated in British Columbia's first intensive French (IF) program between 2004 and 2008 and what they achieved as a result, with a particular focus on the effect on the French and English language proficiency of English as additional language (EAL) students. Qualitative case studies found that students and…

Details of arrangements, staff and program of two high school summer immersion French courses in Switzerland and France are presented. Suggestions are made for improvements. Students showed a remarkable increase in comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence in speaking French; attitudes were positive, students became more responsible and mature.…

Examines the effect of teaching mathematics in French on mathematics achievement evaluated in English. Analyzes the effect of increased intensity of bilingual education on mathematics achievement and the effects of language of testing in the context of French immersion at the intermediate level. (Author/VWL)

This study investigates the motivation for learning French, the ethnic identities, and the decision to pursue post-secondary education in French of anglophone graduates of intensive French language programs in high school. Sixty-two graduates of either French immersion, Advanced Placement French, or the International Baccalaureate French program…

Reports the results of an experiment designed to identify and define learning behaviors characteristic of successful adult students in an intensive language program. Findings are interpreted in terms of an information processing model. (AM)

Four methods of teaching a second language are discussed: (1) traditional approach, involving a limited amount of study each day; (2) second language study followed by study of another subject in that language; (3) early immersion in the language in grades k-2; and (4) late immersion, where exclusive use follows traditional language study. (CK)

Findings and conclusions of three studies are reported: (1) comparison of two variations of a French core program, (2) an enrichment program attempting to change attitudes, and (3) a comparison between an immersion program and an intensive program. Three guest analysts comment and criticize. (Author/RM)

Evaluates differences between immersion and non-immersion university-level students' willingness to communicate, communication apprehension, perceived competence, and frequency of communicating . Also examines elements of integrative motivation. Differences between immersion and non-immersion groups are observed in the communication-related…

A secondary school French immersion program in Montreal is discussed. A research and testing program to evaluate student performance is described. Results show a significant increase in French skills over regular language programs, no decrease in English skills, and no decrease in general academic achievement. (CHK)

The activities involved in a student production of modern Spanish drama in a University of Toronto course and the links with language learning that make the course a partial language immersion are described. Problems in evaluating the course and student performance are discussed. (MSE)

This study investigates performance on oral tasks across two groups of francophone learners with different ESL instruction. It reports on second language (L2) ability gains in intensive instruction and regular instruction. To date, gains in oral proficiency have not been reported in such programs, nor has there been a comparison across two…