Describes a method whereby students of French apply small increments of grammar and vocabulary immediately in daily 15-minute writing sessions in which they write brief, structurally sound compositions and focus on language use rather than on translation of ideas from English to French. (MSE)

A productive language exercise that uses the computer and a variation on the cloze procedure by deleting every third word and requiring the student to insert a grammatically and thematically acceptable term is described. (MSE)

A method of second-language instruction that acknowledges and reinforces the connection between ordinary and artistic uses of language is discussed. The theory, rationale, methods, and some sample activities for the approach are outlined. (MSE)

It is argued that most foreign language writing assignments are without meaningful content or context for the student, and directions given by the teacher provide little guidance or impetus for personal investment in the project. Several writing exercises emphasizing these aspects of composition, and criteria for evaluation, are offered. (MSE)

In one approach to French second-language instruction, students use free writing assignments to express themselves in their newly learned second language. The primary objective is to encourage students to use the language in a nonthreatening context; it also offers the teacher insights into student problems and needs. (MSE)

Student teachers at Paris' Alliance Francaise, inspired by three photographs, wrote their own short stories as a writing project. The project was divided into three meetings for the purpose of developing rhythm for writing and providing guidance for the student regarding the form of his or her work. Two of the completed stories are appended. (MSE)

A variety of formats for writing news articles and announcements on a variety of common topics (current events, cultural events, sports, surveys, interviews, travelogs, and classified advertising) is presented in fill-in-the-blank form. Suggestions are offered for using these formats to teach French usage at all levels. (MSE)

A nine-lesson plan illustrates a senior-level approach to "The Little Prince" that includes follow-up, consolidation, and review activities. Group and individual, oral and written exercises and suggestions for evaluation are provided. (MSE)

Proposes a classroom technique that has students examine texts from different points of view by changing the narrator. The method is an amusing, motivating, and challenging exercise in French composition, and is illustrated in an excerpt from a Camus novel. (MSE)

A variety of exercises based on manipulation of a single text are described. The activities involve replacing words or phrases in the text with synonyms or opposites, transposing gender, changing tenses, filling in blanks, and answering multiple-choice questions about linguistic forms. Three brief sample texts are offered. (MSE)

Describes 11 classroom activities used in an adult French program that emphasize the development of linguistic skills, knowledge, and communicative skills. The activities include games, simulation, storytelling, writing of a pastiche based on a Prevert poem, a question-asking exercise, and conversation improvisation. (MSE)

The ways in which poetry can offer the French second-language learner insights into French daily "culture" are examined. Aspects of poetry discussed include the creation of atmosphere in physical context, the power of words to evoke emotion, and the use of rhythm. Two poems are presented for illustration, and reading and writing exercises are…

A series of games and classroom activities incorporating art and writing and designed to link second language reading to the development of writing skills is described. (MSE)

Proposes the use of literary texts in the intermediate-level college second language course as a means of discovering tools for decoding and interpretation that will be useful to other language tasks. An approach to the introduction of texts includes preparatory exercises, discussion, and written analysis. (MSE)