Controversy surrounding the role of non-English languages in American education has a long history. In the 100 years in which the American Educational Research Association (AERA) has been in existence, two Supreme Court decisions have addressed this issue ("Meyer v. Nebraska," 1923, and "Lau v. Nichols," 1974); federal…

Most collegiate departments where one can find Spanish, French, German, and other non-English disciplines are referred to as "language departments," either formally or informally. Such designations are interesting as they suggest to the outsider (i.e., non-language person) that these departments consist of experts in language. In this…

I begin this article by briefly explaining why I think CercleS should encourage university language centres to align their courses and assessment with the proficiency levels of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (CEFR) and why they should use a version of the European Language Portfolio (ELP) to support the…

This paper is a summary which explores the effectiveness and evaluation of my development as a reflective practitioner. It focuses on development with two useful theories about learning and teaching. They are about deep learning & surface learning and levels of teaching. Actually, when I put these theories to practice reflectively, the result…

This paper analyses the major approaches in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) vocabulary teaching from historical perspective and puts forward multi-dimensional vocabulary teaching mode for college English. The author stresses that multi-dimensional approaches of communicative vocabulary teaching, lexical phrase teaching method, the grammar…

In this article, the author considers some of the issues addressed in the 2007 MLA report. The 2007 MLA report argues that the two-tiered literature/language configuration in post-secondary foreign language departments "has outlived its usefulness and needs to evolve," and even needs to be replaced. When proclamations are made that foreign…

Recent years have seen the emergence of Web2.0, in which users are not only passive recipients of the featured content, but actively engaged in constructing it. Sites such as "Facebook" and "Myspace" are typical examples of this, as are blogs that allow users to present themselves online, to write about their daily lives or even to establish…

Foreign language departments tend to develop into sophisticated organizations, giving service to large numbers of students and capable of applying the best technology available. Several models of departmental organization indicate some lines of effective growth. (JB)

Examines why women writers are often neglected in second language classes. (EKN)

Discusses the need to broaden students' perspectives in all areas and suggests teaching literary works written in major European languages by third world writers, in second language classes as one method of doing so. (EKN)

An account of one person's experience as supervisor of graduate teaching assistants. A case is made for cultivation of a cordial supervisor-TA relationship as the best way of instilling a positive attitude toward teaching, that is, that teaching is a creative act and requires commitment. (AMH)

Considers some of the most common cliches and their implications about foreign language requirements. (EKN)

Strategies for strengthening foreign language departments involve gathering information about proficiency levels, course evaluations, language requirements for entrance, clarifying both student and institutional needs, developing resources, and, sometimes, changing institutional policies. The ways in which these steps may be accomplished are…

Considers where English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs belong and presents responses from several ESL faculty members. Among the topics are ESL in its own department, housed in several departments, outside the departmental structure, within the English department, and within a modern language department. (GLR)

Discusses the pros and cons of the Dartmouth Intensive Language Model (DILM) and offers some advice on introducing such a program in any language. Concludes that DILM-trained students do learn to communicate more effectively than traditionally taught beginners. (EKN)