THIS COMMENTARY ON AN EARLIER ARTICLE ABOUT THE DISCONTINUATION OF A 6-YEAR FLES PILOT PROGRAM (SEE "MODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL," VOLUME 50, MARCH 1966) CRITICIZES THE LACK OF CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS OR EXPECTATION OF SUCCESS WHICH CHARACTERIZED THE PROJECT. THE PLANNERS MADE NO ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROGRAM AND FAILED…

While foreign language instruction for elementary school children is gaining attention, poor articulation is a problem that has become more complex because of the variety of foreign language program models being developed. Five main types are in use: total immersion, partial immersion, foreign languages in the elementary school (FLES),…

THE FIRST DRAFT OF THIS FLES PROGRAM REVIEW GUIDE WAS INFLUENCED BY THE LONG-ESTABLISHED GUIDE FOR REVIEW OF SECONDARY SCHOOL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS. SEVERAL INFLUENTIAL SOURCES FOR THE GUIDE ARE LISTED, INCLUDING (1) PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE ON FLES, (2) STATEMENTS PUBLISHED BY STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION AND THE UNITED STATES OFFICE OF EDUCATION,…

A discussion of FLES (foreign language in the elementary school, including introductory, exploratory, or immersion) looks at the challenges that need to be identified and met for successful planning and implementation. The role and importance of FLES in the 1990s is briefly reviewed, FLES program types are outlined, and FLES is examined in greater…

Describes a regional effort in Northern California to provide high quality French instruction for kindergarten through sixth grade in cooperation with the public schools. The role of the National French Contest as motivation and as a learning experience for the students is also discussed. (MSE)

The guide is designed to help elementary school administrators and school communities in making decisions about FLES (foreign language in the elementary school) program design and implementation. An introductory chapter provides definitions of relevant program types (FLES, exploratory/FLEX, and immersion). The second chapter reviews the current…

TWO POLICY STATEMENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS BRIEF DOCUMENT. THE FIRST, PREPARED IN 1956, LISTS QUALIFICATIONS FOR FLES PROGRAMS. THE 1961 STATEMENT OUTLINES OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF FLES PROGRAMS, AND CONCENTRATES ON SEQUENCE, ARTICULATION, EXPERIMENTATION IN PROGRAMS AND METHODS, AND FLES TEACHERS. (AS)

Designed for teachers, supervisors, administrators, and community advocates, this book provides practical advice on how to establish, maintain, and improve foreign language programs at the primary and middle school levels. Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) options are explored, ways to evaluate existing programs are explained, and…

The status of foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) is discussed in an attempt to dispell the myth that there are few successful FLES programs in the U.S. Results of an eight-state survey show that 18% of the responding elementary schools report that they do teach foreign language. Descriptions of eighteen innovative programs confirm…

A guide for the organization, planning, and administration of an elementary school extracurricular foreign language program emphasizing conversation and cultural exposure includes three sections: (1) information about the Ames Foreign Language Association's organization, services, and philosophy concerning program design and discipline policy; (2)…

THE SELECTIONS IN THIS VOLUME DESIGNED FOR TEACHERS, STUDENT TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, CONSULTANTS, AND OTHERS NOT ONLY PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHT, BUT ALSO EXAMINES IN DETAIL ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF FLES PROGRAMS. PART ONE OF THE VOLUME, "A PHILOSOPHICAL RATIONALE FOR FLES,"…

Described in this speech are five growing FLES programs in the State of Washington that reflect in their distinctive structural and content patterns the particular philosophy of the different school districts in which each has developed. In each description mention is made of (1) enrollment and district participation figures, (2) grades included…

The Language School in Seattle has conducted extracurricular foreign language classes in 31 local elementary schools for several years. Each school has a parent coordinator, the courses are tuition-supported, and the objectives are to establish language learning interest and cultural awareness using the Total Physical Response method. A dramatic…

The aim of this guide is to raise the quality of instruction and to advance the opportunities available to all pupils for better learning. It is to be completed by each foreign language teacher in the elementary schools and by the program coordinator. The items consist of standards and practices that generally characterize good programs. The areas…

This book is designed as both a methods text and practical guide for school districts and teachers involved in foreign language instruction at the elementary and middle school levels (grades K-8). Its primary concern is with majority-language speakers and with beginning-level classes. Brief introductory sections outline key concepts for success.…