The attainment gap in science may not be as well-documented as the gap in English and maths, but it is just as pervasive. Our research has shown that disadvantaged pupils start to fall behind in science in Key Stage 1; the gap only gets wider throughout primary and secondary school and on to A-level. Helping schools to use evidence and to…

The French as a Second Language model tests for beginning levels 1, 2, and 3 were designed to evaluate students' language performance, as outlined in the program of studies for Alberta, Canada, in listening and reading comprehension and oral and written production, communication skills, culture, language and general language knowledge. The tests…

The guide is designed to illustrate how it is realistic and possible to teach in a target foreign language, propose effective instructional strategies and techniques, and offer suggestions for inservice teacher workshops on the approach. It is proposed that language students need to experience the target language as a real means of communication,…

Reading and listening comprehension tasks were combined in exercises using related printed and taped texts. Linking the tasks enables the student to use whichever skill is stronger to boost performance in the weaker skill. The technique is outlined and methods of adapting it to other teacher situations are discussed. (MSE)

Describes a tabloid newspaper in British Columbia for adults who are learning to read English. The newspaper features information with an adult focus, including human interest stories and articles on adjusting to Canadian life and is graded at three levels of language difficulty to provide varying reading entry points. (LB)

The program of studies for French as a Second Language is a legal document that specifies what Alberta (Canada) students are expected to learn in French as a second language from early childhood education through grade 12. In this volume, these expectations for learner knowledge, skills, and attitudes are expressed at the intermediate level of…

This guide for language teachers offers a developmental approach to curriculum design for second language learning. The approach suggests a progression of tasks at various difficulty levels, geared to the gradual development of language knowledge, concepts, skills, and attitudes. Ten levels of attainment, or stages of learner development, are…

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…

Alberta's curriculum guide for French immersion programs outlines the programs' rationale and objectives and the content of the oral language, reading, and writing components for six years. An introductory section discusses the aim of developing language competence and recent theory on competence. The role of language as an instrument of…

The set of instructional materials included here consists of reading, writing, and language development worksheets to be used in adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy education. Materials are grouped according to four themes; this volume contains units on theme 3 (diary writing) and theme 4 (study skills). Each unit contains an…

The program of studies for French as a Second Language is a legal document that specifies what Alberta (Canada) students are expected to learn in French as a second language from early childhood education through grade 12. In this volume, these expectations for learner knowledge, skills, and attitudes are expressed at the beginning level of…

This sourcebook presents an approach to teaching students of English as a Second Language (ESL) that integrates communicative competence, cognitive and academic language development, and content instruction. It is intended for use by elementary school teachers of ESL and regular classroom teachers whose classes contain ESL students. An…

This book consists of a collection of stories written by adults who attend a bilingual ESL (English as a Second Language) program co-sponsored by the Toronto Board of Education and Chinese Information and Community Services. All the writings deal with Chinese culture but the book may be used by people of diverse backgrounds and of varying levels…

The materials status report for Portuguese is one of a series intended to provide the nonspecialist with a picture of the availability and quality of texts for teaching the language to English speakers. The report consists of: (1) a brief narrative description of the language, the areas where it is spoken, its major dialects, its writing system,…

The guide outlines the design and content of Hebrew language schools (ulpanim) for immigrants in Israel. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of the Hebrew language, these schools introduce immigrants to the basic values of Judaism, the Jewish people, and the land of Israel. Introductory sections offer a brief history of ulpanim since 1949 and…