In designing a foreign language curriculum, the needs and abilities of the students should be considered. Slow learners need mostly to be taught listening comprehension, while better learners should be taught good reading skills and have a good knowledge of "non-textbook" aspects of the language. (AG)

Representative programs and new approaches to foreign language education in the elementary school (grades K-8) are identified. Included is a review of foreign languages in emerging adolescent education, or programs for students in grades 5-8 or 6-8 that are housed in a middle or junior high school. A discussion is presented of major curriculum…

The 1975 Northeast Conference's Reports propose to help language teachers at every level define their goals, implement them, and help their students recognize their achievement of language skills. The three components explored in the Reports are curriculum, teaching styles and strategies, and evaluation techniques. These components should not be…

This article discusses the incompatibility between the goal of communicative competence (defined more narrowly as minimal approximative communicative competence) and current practices of syllabus design, and suggests more relevant alternatives. Foreign language instruction is still dominated by the teaching of language structure for its own sake,…

Part two of the Northeast Conference Reports for 1975 deals with implementation of the ideas outlined in part one regarding curriculum, teaching and evaluation. Culture is discussed as it relates to the four language skills, at all levels, with a look at the planning and construction of a culturally oriented thematic unit. In addition,…

A guide developed by classroom teachers of foreign languages is presented. It is intended to be a practical tool for the teacher who wants to develop in students a set of skills which are sequentially presented. It is also directed to administrators and supervisors so that they too may participate in the development of a vital foreign language…

New freedom and change in the foreign language profession are the focus of this volume. Chapters concern the following topics: (1) curricular changes--new freedom for students to explore varying time arrangements, different learning styles, diverse content, and various locations for instruction (T. Bruce Fryer); (2) communicative competence in the…