In today's rapidly changing globalizing world, it is hard to predict which of many languages a child can learn today will be most useful to them twenty and thirty years from now, when they enter a global work place, interact socially with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and may face relocation opportunities to foreign countries. Some…

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…

The reasons why a child should learn a foreign language, and particularly, which foreign language study should begin in elementary school, are discussed. The kinds of programs generally available in elementary schools are described. Sources of information and assistance for parents who want to start language programs in their schools are given.…

States the reasons for introducing the study of foreign languages as early as possible in the scholastic curriculum. (CFM)

A poll of the various West German state Culture Ministries revealed that 24,000 students in Grade 5 were taking French as their first foreign language; 14,000 took French in the primary schools (first four grades). The report is helpful in considering further FL offerings. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Presents a school board presentation on the benefits of early foreign language learning. The presentation included success stories of students who began learning foreign languages at the elementary level. (Author/VWL)

The author argues that foreign language instruction in the United States is generally begun too late and that it must be started at the elementary school level. (CFM)

This article describes the first phase of a project designed to introduce the teaching of English and French into a certain number of classes in elementary schools in Turin, Milan, Rome, and Naples, Italy. (CFM)

Numerous experiments in the early introducing of English teaching show this approach to be the most successful. The tendency to drop these projects for economy's sake is lamentable. Introducing English at the primary level would greatly improve English teaching at the junior high school level. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Offers strategies to help elementary school foreign-language specialists become more effective in promoting early language learning. (VWL)

Gives a brief history of the National Network for Early Language Learning, an organization formed specifically to focus on the teaching of foreign languages to young children. A descriptive chronology is provided from November 1986 through 1997. (Author/JL)

Explains the three approaches to foreign language teaching: immersion, Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES), and Foreign Language Experience (FLEX). Presents notable current examples of the use of each type of approach throughout the country that suggest that language teaching is reviving. (JM)

Describes a Spanish-as-a-foreign language email project carried out with kindergartners through third graders from six elementary schools. The project involves a traveling Teddy bear named Tito. (Author/VWL)

Describes an German in the elementary school program in Somerville, Massachusetts that is an example of university-school cooperation. (Author/VWL)

Characteristics and types of role-play for the language classroom are discussed. Sample activities for grades K-3 and for grades 4-6 are offered. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/LB)