Describes the University of Maryland at Baltimore County's one-week foreign language exploratory program for fourth through sixth grade students, and details methods and strategies used to conduct "Spanish Day," where students learned about Spanish language and culture through songs, games, and stories. (CB)

Presents authentic Spanish rhymes and jingles that elementary school foreign language teachers can incorporate in classroom activities. The rhymes not only introduce children to the oral and cultural traditions of the language but also serve as language drills for increasing Spanish vocabulary. (CB)

An exploration of the reasons for the failure of former elementary school foreign language programs precedes the identification of issues that should be addressed to ensure the effectiveness of current and future programs. The three basic FLES program models, Foreign Language Experience (FLEX), sequential FLES, and immersion, are described. (CB)

A definition and description of elementary school content-based foreign language instruction notes how it promotes natural language learning and higher-order thinking skills, and also addresses curriculum development, language objective definition, and specific applications in mathematics, science, reading and language arts, social studies, and…

Not all content teaching is necessarily good second language teaching. The typically used question/answer sequence could be replaced with a more effective use of carefully contrived activities that bring into the classroom authentic language in its full functional range. (Author/CB)

A brief overview of the importance of the use of appropriate methodologies for elementary school foreign language instruction precedes a description of several strategies involving total physical response, story telling, games and songs, props, small-group work, role-play, content-based instruction, cultural and global awareness, language…

Describes the activities and objectives of an intensive summer institute on language awareness for elementary school teachers. Evaluation of the institute included home school visits and found two benefits of the institute: (1) increased awareness and tolerance for language and cultural differences, and (2) significant practical applications of…

A review of the status and results of Latin instruction in the elementary grades considers such trends as cuts in or lack of funding, the training of teachers in other fields to teach Latin, promotional activities, and other program improvements. (Author/CB)

A program of studies, instructional resources, and suggestions for activities and materials are presented for use by teachers in an elementary school foreign language program. The program provides supplemental elementary-level instruction for children in such languages as French, German, and Spanish. The program is primarily oral and stresses…

A statewide study in Louisiana revealed that third, fourth, and fifth graders who participated in 30-minute elementary school foreign language programs in the public schools showed significantly higher scores on the 1985 Basic Skills Language Arts Test than did a similar group that did not study a foreign language. Further, by fifth grade, the…

A handbook for the organization and implementation of an elementary school foreign language program presents guidelines for teachers and PTA liaisons. The program provides supplemental elementary-level instruction for children in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Arabic. Much of the program planning and organization is conducted by…