In response to calls for curricular change in foreign language programs and institutional requirements to evaluate programmatic effectiveness, this article presents a backward design approach to the redesign of an introductory French curriculum grounded in the framing concept of cultural literacy. In addition, data from student evaluations,…

Three aspects of curriculum development as they are understood in English-speaking countries are interpreted and named for French speakers, three curriculum development models are examined, and projects in Scotland and Australia are described. (MSE)

A University of Dublin (Ireland) curriculum restructuring project in the undergraduate second language program is chronicled, and ongoing curriculum development efforts are described. As a result of curriculum research, the university offered a series of freshman French and German courses in 1994-95 and a series of second-year courses to students…

An individualized, interdisciplinary approach to French second language instruction is discussed in the context of Argentina's secondary education system. An introductory section briefly reviews general problems associated with the compartmentalization of subjects in education and proposes a re-integration of the objectives of French second…

This is a report of a pilot study conducted by the Department of Romance Languages of the University of Michigan to assess the feasibility of a multiple-track foreign language program for second-year language students. The multiple-track system was used during the winter semester of 1969. Three types of French classes were offered. One type was…

The National Core French Study, a four-year curriculum project sponsored by the Canadian Association of Language Teachers and government-funded, resulted in the recommendation of a multidimensional curriculum model based on a communicative/experiential approach. The model and its implications for professional development, program design, and…

This curriculum guide provides an instructional plan for combining language and content instruction in a French language program at the elementary school level. The program combines common themes in the foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) program (e.g., numbers, animals, weather, family) with related content-area topics in…

The Iowa guide to foreign language curriculum development, the result of a 1985 state mandate, is designed to help local teachers and administrators build on and improve current curriculum and instructional methods. An opening section outlines the rationale, philosophy, and goals of the guide, and subsequent sections focus on curriculum design and…

This two-section paper treating Old French on the undergraduate level and suggesting changes in the French curriculum criticizes the traditional, chronological approach to program articulation. Cormier focuses on three ways to restructure the current program. He proposes to: (1) teach genre courses rather than chronologically oriented courses, (2)…

A shift in instructional focus to student needs and interests spurred the development of a different approach to French second language program design in Alberta. A practical curriculum planning model is offered that is based on: (1) communicative and student-centered activities; (2) responsiveness to teacher needs; and (3) supporting planning for…

This paper describes the development of an elementary school program in global culture which uses language as a vehicle for education in global citizenship. The approach to curriculum development focuses primarily on the child's needs, and secondarily on content. The curriculum was designed to be activity-oriented, child-centered, and…

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…

This handbook for the bilingual vocational curriculum specialist contains seven modules which describe the process of developing curriculum materials to be used by students of limited-English-speaking ability. Module 1 is an introduction to the handbook which discusses bilingual education in the United States and the role of the teacher in…

Criticism of the apparent academic disregard of Old French at the undergraduate level includes suggestions on ways to expand the curriculum. Discussion of philology, historical grammar, student preparation, course requirements, and the history of language is developed. Benefits of medieval study relate to: (1) preparation for graduate study, (2)…

Seeking to determine the necessary elements of a grammar for undergraduate students with a strong interest in Old French, the author discusses: (1) sounds, (2) forms, (3) syntax, and (4) poetics. It is felt that the treatment accorded phonology should be different from the traditional approach used in graduate level grammars, since the course is…