This paper reports on a small-scale qualitative study of students' experience of their Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) degrees with particular regard to the relationship between language and content learning. It is framed by the identification in the recent Worton Report on MFL studies in UK higher education and elsewhere of a dualism between…

Discusses criteria to apply to key aspects of the inspection and monitoring process in modern language instruction. Quality assurance includes assessment of the whole learning environment. Ten characteristics of a good modern language lesson are listed. (six references) (CK)

Explores how cross-curricular themes can be integrated into the modern languages lesson. Key requirements include the need to clarify objectives, identify what can be usefully explored, introduce cultural comparisons at the appropriate time, focus on authentic reading materials, and use a basic core language and previously developed activities.…

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)

Discusses problems inherent in the content of modern language syllabuses. True communication occurs when the focus of classroom activities is on the message. The success of the lesson derives from the quality of the presentation and, crucially, the vocabulary list and the pupils' prior knowledge of the concepts underlying the content. (six…

Mailed surveys investigated modern foreign language inservice provisions offered by English and Welsh local education authorities since the introduction of the national curriculum, comparing this analysis with expressed inservice needs of secondary school department heads. Teachers' choice of inservice course content was primarily in response to…