Responds to an article by F. Levy on the feminine attributes of the learning of French as a foreign language in the United States offering nonneutral comments on the feminine-masculine debate, the dominance of literature over language in the teaching of the French language in the United States, and the difficulty of deploying more practical…

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)

The history of public policy concerning Cajun French instruction in Louisiana is reviewed, and the prospects for regeneration of the language in the state's schools are examined. (MSE)

Describes a regional effort in Northern California to provide high quality French instruction for kindergarten through sixth grade in cooperation with the public schools. The role of the National French Contest as motivation and as a learning experience for the students is also discussed. (MSE)

Discussion of FLES (foreign languages in elementary schools) programs in the United States looks at their history, current status within and outside the United States, important FLES issues (long-range planning, teacher qualifications and recruitment, delivery models, mandated programs, research needs, teaching methods) and importance to the…