This article peers through the lens of one district's journey of World Languages program refinement, and identifies a blueprint for success by aligning targets. The author begins by proposing the following questions: (1) Is your program where you want it to be? (2) Is it producing desired results? and (3) Are students yielding the greatest results…

Educators have generally believed that foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten or earlier to promote optimum oral language development (e.g., Abbott, 1998; Curtain & Dahlberg, 2010; Rhodes & Pufahl, 2010; Rosenbusch, 1991; Swender & Duncan, 1998). This article describes two Spanish programs in the Westport…

Although researchers have begun to explore the implementation of dynamic assessment (DA) with foreign language learners, few of these studies have occurred in the language classroom. Whereas DA is typically implemented in dyads, promising research in the field of foreign language learning suggests that DA may promote development with groups of…

A project is reported that developed a test for students in foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) programs. Relevant tests in Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) were reviewed in order to develop a listening and reading test that could determine achievement in a typical FLES curriculum. Pilot testing was conducted with 121…

One common procedure for oral performance testing of Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) learners is one-on-one interviewing wherein the interviewer asks questions and the child candidate responds to them. While existing research has focused primarily on outcomes elicited by such procedures, this study examines the processes…

THE FIRST SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE TEACHING ACQUAINTED TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM THE ELEMENTARY THROUGH COLLEGE LEVELS WITH MODERN TECHNIQUES OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED LECTURES, WORK-STUDY SESSIONS, DEMONSTRATION CLASSES, FILMS, AND EXHIBITS OF EQUIPMENT. THIS REPORT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES--(1)…

A SUMMARY IS GIVEN OF REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE U.S. OFFICE OF EDUCATION BY 46 STATES PARTICIPATING IN THE NDEA TITLE III PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION. ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE 1965-66 SCHOOL YEAR ARE SUMMARIZED FOR EACH STATE UNDER THE THREE HEADINGS OF EVIDENCE OF IMPROVED INSTRUCTION, EVIDENCE…

The marked growth in foreign language instruction during the 1957-1960 period is noted and is attributed to the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) of 1958, to the establishment of language laboratory facilities, to the wider use of audiovisual aids and teaching machines, and to the application of linguistic science to language teaching.…

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…

FLES comprehension tests, administered by television to a large group of elementary school students in a televised French course in Pennsylvania, are outlines in terms of testing methods and skills measured. Skills tested include (1) comprehension of phrases and words in context, simple stories, numbers, dates, times of day, (2) identification and…

A STUDY WAS MADE OF THE LEVELS OF PROFICIENCY ATTAINED BY FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAJORS IN U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND OF THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ATTAINMENTS OF THESE LEVELS. THE MLA FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS FOR TEACHERS AND ADVANCED STUDENTS WERE ADMINISTERED IN 1965 TO 2,775 SENIORS MAJORING IN FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN,…

Attention is focused on the 10-year (grades 3-12) Spanish sequence in the Hackensack schools. Program expenses, student test scores, and a subjective evaluation of the project's effectiveness are included. Also discussed are enrollment trends, students who discontinue studying Spanish, the transference value of language skills, and the reasons for…