This article contends that centring English as a Foreign Language (EFL) curricula on learners' specific needs is not merely advantageous but essential for fostering meaningful language acquisition. By synthesising theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and practical applications, it underscores the necessity of systematic needs analysis (NA)…

In Sweden, curricula and syllabi for education are politically determined after public consultations. Thus, these educational documents are discursive trade-offs reflecting research, traditions in the educational system, and political ideologies. This study maps the discourses in the syllabus for Sami as L1 mother tongue for preschool class-Year…

This paper reports on the rationale for the implementation of a pilot project using a scenario-based Virtual Reality (VR) resource, originally developed by Health Sciences at Coventry University and now being repurposed for Italian language learning as a collaborative project with Modern Languages and Linguistics at the University of Southampton.…

The initial response to COVID-19 exposed widespread racism and Sinophobia across the world, which contributed to a rethinking of equality and diversity in Higher Education (HE) and beyond. Within Modern Languages, much attention has been placed on decolonising the curriculum. The death of George Floyd in 2020 further contributed to an increased…

This paper explores Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI) teaching and curriculum development across disciplines, based on a case study of a newly established Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI) programme at the School of Modern Languages, Cardiff University, UK. It illustrates how different academic values and goals influence styles of teaching…

Recent scholarship in professional development (PD) has advocated for solid conceptual frameworks and understanding of the complex process involved in how language educators may continue to develop and fulfil the current challenging teaching demands. However, specific relationships underlying departmental cultures and how language educators relate…

This paper considers the languages on offer in secondary schools in England and the possibility of enacting curriculum change with a view to reducing the dominance of French, Spanish and, to a lesser extent, German as a possible way to increase take-up of modern foreign languages post-14. Questionnaires were completed by 666 students aged 14-15,…

This study follows a group of modern foreign languages (MFL) teachers in the Netherlands during a nine-month professional development project around the theme of 'Content in MFL'. The project was initiated following proposals to refocus the MFL curriculum on the basis of integrated learning outcomes for both language proficiency and areas of…

Self-assessment for accreditation purposes requires follow-up of graduates and feedback with academic programs. As part of the improvement actions, this study was done to characterize graduates' methodologies in English language teaching. The data, gathered through questionnaires, showed that graduates privilege the communicative and eclectic…

At a time when language programs around the United States are in crisis--the University of Rhode Island's Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures is realigning its curriculum to emphasize proficiency and intercultural competence within a strong liberal arts context. The result of the department's recent initiatives? More than…

The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad program provides grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies by teachers, undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development,…

This report was prepared by participants in the Pre-Conference Workshop for Foreign Language Consultants and Supervisors at the annual meeting of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in November 1974. In part 1, exploratory language programs are described, and goals for such programs are listed in part 2. Part 3 describes five…

This paper concerns languages for career training at the post-secondary level, with implications for FLES and secondary programs. The student desirous of utilizing a foreign language in a career other than literature and linguistics has very limited opportunity for adequate training in college. The job market for literature majors is, and will…

This comprehensive booklet treats foreign language instruction development, current practices, and observable trends. Sections on the changing role of foreign language instruction and on methodology are emphasized. Social pressures, international events, and changing educational attitudes since the turn of the century are discussed. Methods used…

The aims of this meeting of the group of experts set up to investigate the feasibility of a unit/credit system for modern language learning by adults were: (1) to define, on the basis of the results of three preliminary interrelated studies, the second phase of the research, namely, the operational specification of learning objectives; (2) to…