An overview of foreign language instruction is seen as a spectrum composed of five distinct areas. The speech includes discussion of concepts related to the curriculum, linguistics, psychology, culture, and a "Master Plan". The author comments on the importance of understanding that language instruction, as an academic pursuit, is directly related…

Questions the effectiveness of the French language assistant(e)'' in the English school system and wonders whether the money required to finance the program might be better spent elsewhere. (RL)

Typical experiences of the French teaching assistant in the English school system are presented with suggestions for improving utilization of the teaching assistant. (RL)

Intended primarily for language teachers in underfinanced school districts or underdeveloped countries where educational resources are scarce, this article suggests ways and means of using material resources as instructional realia. The author proposes several principles on which the use of audiovisual materials in the classroom should be based.…

Points out weaknesses characteristic of current language textbooks and suggests that future textbooks will concentrate on culture, values, and interest areas. (RL)

This curriculum bulletin focuses on instruction in the Connecticut public schools in modern foreign languages and Latin. A curriculum outline for levels 1 through 6 and appendixes treating a glossary of terms, patterns as grammar, and a sample test comprise the section on modern languages. The Latin topics cover: (1) phonology, (2) morphology, (3)…

This two-part, state curriculum bulletin sets forth guidelines for the teaching of modern languages. Part one is concerned with the rationale behind language programs, student selection, and program articulation. Instructional objectives, methodology, culture, language laboratory procedures, and guidelines for testing are examined in the second…

Paper presented at the FIPLV Congress, Saarbrucken, West Germany, April 4, 1972. (RL)

This specialized bibliography of foreign language testing materials is composed of three lists. They are: (1) bibliographies of tests, (2) selected published tests, and (3) books and articles on the theory and practice of language testing, excluding general works on psychological testing and educational testing. Some 180 of the 193 citations are…

Abstracts of three papers on individuated instruction center on the need for a redefinition of terminology and continued research of its implications in the teaching of foreign languages. The abstracted papers include: (1) Howard Altman's "Toward A Definition of Individualized Instruction," (2) Barbara Gordon's "The Speech Community of the School…

Von Humboldt wrote in 1836 that "....one cannot really teach language but can only present the conditions under which it will develop spontaneously in the mind in its own way..." The author critically illustrates his reasons for supporting this theory of language learning. Concluding remarks summarize advantages and disadvantages of using…

The relative importance of content-oreinted teaching materials in German universities and public schools is examined in this survey of language textbooks and teaching methods. It is noted that despite a growing interest in structural linguistics at the university level, school grammars are primarily content-oriented and based on Hans Glinz's…

Student attitudes toward foreign language instruction are examined by means of an overview of 12 surveys conducted at high schools and colleges across the U.S. Findings indicate that students who are unsatisfied with their progress in learning a foreign language may have set unrealistic goals for themselves at the outset. Often they feel they are…

Noting that seven-eights of the world's population does not speak English, the author cites reasons for requiring that students study languages and literature. He observes that if American students are to serve in the world effectively, they must be prepared for such service. Particularly emphasized in the author's reasoning is the notion that…