Surveys the linguistic situation as well as the organization of foreign language instruction in the countries of Western Europe. Although linguistic diversity would serve rather than hinder mutual comprehension and cooperation, monolingualism is the usual tendency in most of the countries with the exception of Holland and Luxemburg. (Text is in…

The paper reviews the accomplishments of the Modern Language Association while underlining its shortcomings with regards to doctoral training and foreign language education. It calls for new foreign language programs and the restoration of relevant subjects in curricula, and stresses the need for foreign language training for Americans planning to…

Parents' most frequent questions about foreign language programs in U.S. public schools are answered in this leaflet. Topics briefly covered include (1) the problem of who should study a foreign language, (2) the selection of a foreign language, (3) the advantages of early language training, (4) the amount of time needed for competence in the…

This article describes a university language and research program which focuses on the instruction of modern languages to non-language majors. The facility, personnel, teaching methods, and evaluation procedures are described. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

The Committee for General and Technical Education of the Council of Europe commissioned a comparative study of modern language teaching in European primary and secondary schools, the results of which are presented here. School systems and plans of primary and secondary education in the 21 member states of the CCC are reviewed, along with the…

This report was prepared by participants in the Pre-Conference Workshop for Foreign Language Consultants and Supervisors at the annual meeting of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in November 1974. In part 1, exploratory language programs are described, and goals for such programs are listed in part 2. Part 3 describes five…

This paper first addresses the issue of the contradictory nature of informed opinion and advice in the foreign language field today. It goes on to consider such controversial topics as the introduction of the written symbol, teaching the language versus teaching about it, teaching culture, the usefulness of FLES, and individualization. The…

The author suggests that educators must (1) realistically assess the ways in which language study can and cannot contribute significantly to the student's overall educational experience and devise new methods which consciously stress goals attainable within the available time period, (2) provide more than one kind of introductory course, and (3)…

Critically examines Leon A. Jakobovit's application of Chomsky's theories of transformational generative grammar to second language learning theory. (RL)

This paper concerns languages for career training at the post-secondary level, with implications for FLES and secondary programs. The student desirous of utilizing a foreign language in a career other than literature and linguistics has very limited opportunity for adequate training in college. The job market for literature majors is, and will…

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…

This report presents the conclusions and recommendations of a residential colloquium concerning modern languages for the 1980's, attended by 70 representatives of various sectors and levels of the educational system. The colloquium was a response to widespread concern about the crisis in language learning in the United Kingdom. The colloquium…