Literary texts offer a rich environment for language learning that teachers can exploit to develop not only students' linguistic (pragmatic, discursive) and cultural skills, but also communication and creative skills. In our study, we have used literature with different writing activities that involved the use of students' imagination and…

In the past few decades, increasing demands have been placed on developing students' autonomy and critical thinking skills. To enhance students' agency in learning, teachers have been encouraged to adopt alternative pedagogical practices. The revamp of pedagogy needs to be reflected in assessment as it is an integral part of instruction.…

In an Israeli elementary school program to stimulate students' development of oral English skills, students write dialogs and conversation themes in areas of interest, then practice and conduct the conversations with amateur radio operators around the world. Challenges and successes are detailed. (MSE)

This storybook/workbook presents a communicative-based approach to learning German as a foreign language. It is intended for developing the reading skills of the young learner of German in Alberta. The text concerns the adventures of a child. Interspersed throughout the story are various exercises in which the learner is engaged to fill in or…

A variety of classroom games and exercises are described for developing oral and reading skills in French. Included among the games are a giant advent calendar, a reading contest, description and identification games, questions and answers, guessing games, a trivia game, and a spelling exercise. (MSE)

The purpose of this manual, which accompanies a video program, is to provide general background information for foreign language teachers who are, or soon will be, teaching in total, partial, or two-way immersion classrooms. Part of a series of video programs, this manual defines the negotiation of the meaning process and highlights specific…

The Wisconsin Design for Reading Skill Development (WDRS) is primarily an instructional management model in reading, which can be used in both English and bilingual classrooms. The Design, which presents an objective-based, skill-centered approach to reading instruction, conforms to the concept of individually guided education. It is organized in…

Discusses one approach found to be successful for teachers with little formal English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) training and few ESL text materials to help their primary-aged ESL students to develop wide and varied uses of English. A discussion focuses on the use of wordless books in oral language and literacy development. (11 references) (GLR)

An approach is described for developing the language of limited English proficient (LEP) students using process writing with content drawn from across the curriculum. This is proposed in the context of recent research in second language reading that has focused on developing metacognitive awareness and use of reading strategies, and that less…

Addresses the issue of foreign language instruction for elementary and junior high school children in Texas, and describes and assesses a five-week workshop that was designed to help teachers improve their language skills and instruct them in teaching methodology. (10 references) (GLR)

This bibliography includes both commercially published and locally produced textbooks and workbooks that are currently being used across the United States in foreign language programs for grades 1-6. The materials cited are used by 303 elementary schools that responded to a national survey of elementary school foreign language programs. The texts…

Maintains that the movement toward an integrated elementary school curriculum is growing. Describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation of an instructional unit about the Costa Rican rain forests that integrates foreign language and social studies content. Uses the four goal areas from a National Council for the Social Studies model. (CFR)

Investigates whether a three-month extensive reading program involving graded readers could improve English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners' second language competence. Finds improvement in reading and writing skills and a simpler but more correct use of syntax in the second language. (RS)

Based on the idea that questioning designed to elicit and practice different language structures can promote language development, 10 questioning techniques are presented. They are designed to be used in the context of the whole language approach to instruction, to promote both language and thinking skills. The techniques are to be used as parents…

This paper describes the experience of a German teacher of English as a second language (ESL) in using recreational reading as an integral part of ESL instruction and gives suggestions for materials and techniques to use in the classroom. The discussion begins with a description of foreign language instruction in the German school system and…