This study reports the results of a national survey of the types and uses of assessments for matriculating secondary students into college Chinese language programs. In addition to providing an overview of college placement procedures obtained from 35 college Chinese programs, the survey also probed into the rationales behind the varied placement…

The overarching objective of the World Language Professional Life Survey (WLPLS) was to determine the K-20 World Language (WL) profession's familiarity with both the "World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages" (5 Cs) and with the Can-Do Statements (Can-Dos). The survey strove to identify how both sets of principles might…

This article briefly reviews the social, political, and economic context that explains the present status of elementary language education in the United States and addresses the challenges identified by recent reports on the state of language education in the United States. Different curricular models of world language education--exploratory,…

Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs) provide elementary, secondary, and postsecondary instructors with the opportunity to align standards-based foreign language instruction with assessment practices. While IPA guidelines make it clear that all three modes of communication are to be assessed, the limited body of research on IPAs provides few…

The present study reports data from a large-scale foreign language proficiency assessment to explore trends across a large urban school district. These data were used in conjunction with data from teacher and student questionnaires to make recommendations for foreign language programs across the district. This evaluation process resulted in…

Contemporary best practices in the profession encourage teaching as much as possible in the target language, but when university faculty were observed teaching Spanish, the majority spoke English during instruction and many engaged in frequent code switching (alternations) between English and Spanish. Findings indicate that instructors used…

A pilot study was designed to examine student perspectives on the first two years of the foreign language program at an east coast college. The study addresses key areas of foreign language teaching and learning in terms of goals and objectives, effectiveness of instruction and instructional approach, and student suggestions for improvement. The…

Discusses articulation issues related to languages other than English (LOTE) in Australia. Data taken from from an independent school's admission documents over a 4-year period provide insights and reveal trends concerning students' preferences for language study, LOTE study continuity, and reasons for LOTE selection.(Author/VWL)

The whole concept of articulation between elementary, middle level, and senior high foreign-language instructional programs is questioned, and a call is made for stronger examination and definition of such issues as instructional value, attrition rates, interdisciplinary instruction, and program continuity. (CB)

This article makes a case for using a sequential approach in teaching foreign languages at the middle school level. Specific sections address the limitations of the exploratory approach, a longer sequential study of a foreign language, and thematic curriculum development. (JL)

A three-stage program is described that a secondary school teacher can follow to establish and maintain contact with a nearby college language department. The program would facilitate articulation between secondary school and college. (Author/AMH)

A variety of possible language methodologies and the effects these have on the learners are examined. A sample questionnaire, designed to discover how students have previously been instructed in foreign language, is included. (SW)

The South Carolina Council on Foreign Language Placement and Curriculum, created when state colleges and universities increased foreign language study admission requirements, serves as a forum for the exchange of information and helps provide professional critique of plans to change curriculum and implement new placement tests at postsecondary…

Those attempting to more clearly articulate proficiency-based foreign-language instructional programs should ensure the following: (1) language learning is seen as a developmental rather than incremental process; (2) achievement and proficiency are clearly distinguished; (3) content is seen as broad and varied; and (4) proficiency is not a method.…

Provides an overview of the World Languages Other than English standards for teachers of students ages 3-18. The 14 standards are an important facet of the art and science of teaching and have been ordered as they are to facilitate understanding, not to assign priorities. (Author/VWL)