This paper provides a critical review of the literature between 1980 and 2005 on the evaluation of resources for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) with a particular emphasis on elementary education. An analysis of that literature indicates that there are a range of approaches to evaluation that have been somewhat monolithic and possibly…

Belgium's German-speaking community feels the need for multilingualism more than most. Since 1990, French language instruction has been seriously promoted in elementary school, as much for teachers as for students. A six-year curriculum plan takes students from early exposure to creative and autonomous language use. A pilot program is under way.…

Explores ways in which elementary school foreign language programs can fully integrate cultural insights, skills, and understanding through an examination of instructional models and developmental factors in the teaching of culture, goal setting for teaching culture, and culture and curriculum in the foreign language classroom and in other areas.…

La Escuelita, a Warwick (Rhode Island) Spanish language instruction program for children in grades 3 through 6, originated in 1983 in a group-tutoring program and expanded under the auspices of the local Parent-Teacher Association into an after-school activity for all city schoolchildren. The PTA undertook the administrative tasks, and the…

An Italian program integrating second language instruction into the elementary school curriculum is described. The program is seen as a forward-looking effort but lacking in important cultural content. Discrepancies between objectives and classroom reality are discussed. (MSE)

A discussion of FLES (foreign language in the elementary school, including introductory, exploratory, or immersion) looks at the challenges that need to be identified and met for successful planning and implementation. The role and importance of FLES in the 1990s is briefly reviewed, FLES program types are outlined, and FLES is examined in greater…

Emphasizes the importance of developing literacy skills in the elementary school if communicative competence is the goal of a fully articulated K-12 curriculum for Spanish. The vehicle necessary for developing these skills lies in curricular objectives that emphasize literacy and in teacher education programs that foster the growth of this…

A study investigated the instructional and curricular changes made in seven Mesa (Arizona) public elementary schools as a result of a 1989 state mandate for second language instruction at the elementary school level. In the schools under study, Spanish second language instruction is integrated into the core curriculum. The study examined…

This article describes a prototype for articulation for Spanish-language programs in the elementary schools, along with examples of how it can be used to create an articulated Spanish-language program within a current elementary school curriculum. (17 references) (Author/CK)

This curriculum, designed to improve elementary school foreign language teacher training, was developed jointly by school teachers and university educators in North Carolina. It is based on the successful practices of current elementary school foreign language teachers, translated into desired teacher competencies. Introductory sections describe…

The recent dissolution of many FLES programs throughout the nation is seen as a trend which is directly related to the quality of the instructional program offered. Consequently, the author lists general criteria to determine standards of excellence in FLES programs and proposes specific constraints to be observed in the development of new FLES…

Attitudes expressed by language experts, policymakers, and educators at a conference on the implementation of a nationwide elementary school foreign language program in Italy are summarized. Issues discussed include teacher education needs, curriculum content and design, and articulation with other levels of education. (MSE)

Two-way, or bilingual, immersion education, a major innovation in the integration of language and content instruction, is intended to improve the quality of language education for language minority and language majority students in the United States. The emerging educational practice responds to the increasing proportions of language minority…

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…

This literature review looked at core French (programs of French as a second language taught as a subject) as opposed to immersion French in terms of starting grade, instructional time, instructional materials, children could bring bilingual experience to learning French, starting age is less important than sometimes argued. Neither starting age…