The origins and design of a framework for Japanese second language instruction and curriculum development, created for use in international schools in Japan, are described. The effort was part of a Japanese Language Project undertaken by the Japanese Council for International Schools and funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education. The guiding…

The guide provides a model for Japanese second language curriculum development for teachers and school districts. It advocates an approach that emphasizes language proficiency for daily communication and cultural appreciation. An introductory section offers a rationale for teaching and learning Japanese, outlines the need for the guide, presents a…

This guide, "a work in progress," is one of a series designed to serve as companion documents for the New York state learning standards defined for each major curriculum area. It is intended to establish a connection between the state-mandated learning standards and classroom instruction and to further elaborate on the standards that…

Urges that an evaluative attitude be taken concerning curricular efforts to foster multicultural education. Suggests expanding the primary school curriculum, defining multicultural education, and multiplying the effects of a lesson by linking multicultural activities with concepts already being taught. Provides illustrative activities to integrate…

The guide is one section of a resource kit designed to assist Peace Corps language instruction coordinators in countries around the world in understanding the principles underlying second language learning and teaching and in organizing instructional programs. This section addresses design and development of language curricula. An introductory…

An assessment of the English-as-a-Second-Language curriculum at International Christian University (Japan) looked at: (1) the kind of English language study perceived by students as important for their success; (2) how students' perceived needs compare to the professors' assessments of required academic tasks, as measured by a previous task…

The guide is designed to address concerns of North Carolina second/foreign language teachers and school administrators as they plan and implement block class scheduling. The first section outlines the rationale and special considerations for block scheduling, and offers some typical schedule options. North Carolina's instructional time…

This packet was developed to demonstrate for Illinois educators the integration of fine arts with foreign languages and social studies. The model may be adapted for use by instructors of a variety of language, social studies, and fine arts courses. Following a descriptive overview of the fine arts, the packet includes: (1) "Introductory…

Integration of environmental education and second language instruction is discussed, with two purposes: to describe educators' efforts to protect the planet's deteriorating environment, and to explore what destructive attitudes and actions that have led to environmental devastation have their counterparts in language education methods. The…

Texts of conference papers and summaries of colloquia on second language curriculum design are presented, including: "Competency Assessment in Curriculum Renewal" (summary of session with Ian Harrison, Francis Johnson, Christopher Candlin, Anthony Green, David Nunan, Charles Smith); "The Evolving of a Curriculum" (Hiroshi Abe,…

The recent restructuring of the curriculum of the Faculty of Business of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is described and offered as a model of the kind of reorganization occurring within Cambodia's higher education system. The history of language policy in the higher education system is chronicled briefly,…

An extensive discussion of literacy education in multicultural schools is designed to help teachers help students develop language competencies through integrated multicultural themes and topics based on relevant children's literature. The first part looks at the foundations for language and literacy: the role of culture, family, and society in…

The manual is designed as a reference on second language teaching and curriculum development for Peace Corps language trainers and language training coordinators. The first section, on language learning theory, introduces competency-based curriculum, describes the natural approach to language learning (the approach used throughout the manual),…

The guide for developing curricula and instructional materials is intended for use in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction and instruction in other second/foreign languages. It presents an overview of the course designer's task and some available techniques. First, assessment of educational needs and relevant societal factors is…

Three studies concerning the teaching of Irish in elementary schools in Ireland are presented and the implications of their findings for Irish instruction are examined. The first study described the range of conditions under which spoken Irish is taught and learned by studying a number of diverse classes, describe the teaching and learning of…