Describes a thematic, communication-oriented approach developed by the foreign language department at the University of Maryland Baltimore County to the first-year and intermediate sequences in French, German, and Spanish. Design of the syllabus, instructional materials, and teaching techniques are discussed. (Author/CB)

Describes the revision of the program of study for foreign language majors at Bates College (Maine). The strengthening of the college's literature component and cultural studies are recommended for other small, liberal arts colleges. (CB)

Writing courses at Temple University (Pennsylvania) were adapted from the Writer's Workbench program to provide a computer-assisted instruction model for students to obtain a wide range analysis of their writing abilities and skills. (Author/CB)

Questionnaire responses of college and university foreign language department chairpersons (N=766) revealed that 15 percent of these programs continued to offer language instruction on an individualized track, while 25 percent expressed interest in developing new individualized instruction programs. Responses regarding language offerings,…

As part of a quiet revolution, language immersion has been important in establishing confidence in the creation of bilingualism through education. The momentum of this movement can be maintained through improvements in French immersion, core French, emphasis on minority and foreign languages, and a new approach to university language curriculum.…

The development of an interactive videodisc-microcomputer simulation of a visit to a Mexican village for college-level Spanish instruction is described. Problems encountered, production considerations, computer program development, hardware, and classroom results are discussed. (MSE)

Reform in language and literature programs requires faculty to teach a mix of basic and advanced courses in language, composition, and literature to assure students access to the best teacher-scholars the college offers. The humanistic element in graduate education would also benefit from this improved undergraduate training. (MSE)

College language department heads are encouraged to become proactive in responding to change in higher education by: undertaking departmental planning; ensuring good teaching; emphasizing collegiality; thinking creatively; becoming part of any college restructuring process; identifying allies on campus; staying informed about institutional…

A survey of 58 higher education institutions revealed that 74 percent had a foreign language admissions or graduation requirement, and 75 percent used placement examinations for incoming students. Schools cited problems of students with previous study enrolling in beginning classes, and of a lack of placement options for students with prior…

Explores governance problems, caused by conflicts between political and academic demands, within foreign language departments. The broader philosophical, pedagogical, and professional contexts of governance resulting from an expanded view and definition of foreign language study are considered, highlighting the situation in West Germany. (39…

To nurture diversity in the German classroom, information is needed to stimulate intellectual curiosity of minority group students who fail to see its relevance. This article reviews African and German interaction in Germany between 1500 and 1992 and offers a brief bibliography of related source material. (40 references) (Author/LB)

A Swedish university program in which French language students played parts in a series of Moliere plays is described. The activity integrated linguistic, cultural, and literary objectives, and included text analyses, pronunciation instruction, and development of oral expression. (MSE)

Teaching foreign-language literature in translation, within the foreign language department, has intellectual and pragmatic justifications. Intellectually, it is a source of joy for language faculty to share target language literature, and it is the thematic components, not language, that offer richest discussion. Practically, students don't have…

Discusses growing enrollments in foreign languages at Spelman College, a small language arts college for African American women in Atlanta, Georgia. Attributes the growing enrollments to the willingness of faculty to attend to student needs, interests, and specific black heritage. Suggests strategies for attracting students of color to languages…

This essay describes the development of an English coursebook that drew upon environmental education for the content. The book was designed to assist Indonesian university students in learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The three authors of the present essay served as the book's three editors. The authors of the individual lessons in the…