The state of Utah is leading the nation in a surge of new elementary language immersion programs. Their unprecedented growth of programs, over a four-year span, has been both intentional and systemic, taking advantage of a supportive base and promoting language learning as a way to increase economic benefits for the state. While math and science…

THE LACK OF UNIFORMITY IN TEACHING PRACTICES, COURSE CONTENT, MATERIALS, AND TEACHER PREPARATION HAS HAMPERED ACHIEVEMENT IN FLES PROGRAMS AND PRODUCED MANY UNSTABLE PROGRAMS. THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR OBJECTIVES TO BE CLEARLY DEFINED AND CRITERIA TO BE DEVELOPED FOR JUDGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SERIOUS FLES PROGRAMS. WITH PROPERLY SEQUENCED…

BY STUDYING VARIOUS FLES PROGRAMS, CERTAIN PROGRAM PATTERNS EMERGE THAT ARE WORTHY OF RECOMMENDATION FOR GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE THIRD OR FOURTH GRADE SHOULD BE THE OPTIMUM STARTING POINT FOR FLES, 15 TO 20 MINUTE CLASSES SHOULD BE HELD EARLY EACH DAY, CONSCIOUS ANALYSIS OF GRAMMAR SHOULD BE DIMINISHED, THE THREE-FOLD INTERPLAY OF…

The recommended syllabus for an exploratory course about Spanish and French languages and cultures and their relationship to English is presented. The guide provides suggestions for approaching course planning and teaching; a list of areas of instruction, material resources, and methods of instruction for the specific linguistic, general language,…

An elementary school foreign language program and the French curriculum are described. French and Spanish are among the electives offered as part of a New Jersey magnet school for gifted children from preschool through grade 5. Participation in the daily half-hour instruction is entirely optional and has been growing in popularity during the 5…

This guide outlines the Manitoban Department of Education's conversational French-as-a-second-language curriculum for second grade. The program is designed to introduce young children to the French language and culture through the learning of French sounds, vocabulary, and some sentence patterns. An introductory section explains the program's…

THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR A FRENCH FLES PROGRAM, FEATURING EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION IN COMBINATION WITH CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION BY LANGUAGE SPECIALISTS, REFLECTS FIVE YEARS' EXPERIENCE WITH THE PROGRAM IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND. THE PROGRAM FOR GRADES 4, 5, AND 6 DESCRIBED IN THIS GUIDE HAS BEEN EVALUATED, IMPROVED, AND IMPLEMENTED AT THE…

This guide outlines the Manitoba Department of Education's conversational French-as-a-second-language curriculum for kindergarten and first grade. The program is designed to introduce young children to the French language and culture through the learning of French sounds, vocabulary, and some sentence patterns. An introductory section explains the…

Presents results of a questionnaire, completed by elementary and secondary principals and teachers, concerning foreign language instruction, including information on background demographics, amount of instruction, offerings, curriculum, teacher qualifications and training, and major instructional problems in both public and private schools.…

In addition to presenting detailed guidelines for foreign language curriculum development in Georgia public schools, this guide includes illustrations of a variety of classroom approaches to meeting course goals. The overall rationale for the guide is to bring programs and curricula at all levels in line with both societal needs for…

A shift in instructional focus to student needs and interests spurred the development of a different approach to French second language program design in Alberta. A practical curriculum planning model is offered that is based on: (1) communicative and student-centered activities; (2) responsiveness to teacher needs; and (3) supporting planning for…

This guide provides general direction to school districts on elementary French programs. In addition to giving the rationale of an elementary French program and indicating where supplementary resource material can be found, it suggests program goals and learning outcomes for programs in grades K-7. A second section on current research on second…

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…

This cooperative research project, supported by the Office of Education Bureau of Research, attempts to answer questions on the effectiveness of reading instruction during a sixth grade beginning Spanish program. Major areas studied include: (1) the effects of reading instruction on listening, speaking, and reading skills, (2) the amounts of…

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…