The current study focuses on an e-learning platform called Furago designed to provide language instructors with exercises complementing activities already implemented in their classes. Its objective was to assess the impact the use of Furago could have on the listening skills of first-year Japanese university students. Statistical analyses that…

Drawing on recent conversation-analytic and socio-interactionist research on students' participation in L1 and L2 classroom interaction in teacher-fronted activities, this paper makes a step further by presenting an exploratory study of students' displays of willingness to participate (WTP) in classroom interaction and pedagogical activities…

Describes an innovative program that systematically exposes second-language learners to the phonetic elements of French, including prosodic features of the language. The first half of the 12 one-hour lessons introduces active listening exercises, delaying oral production until lesson seven. The program's goals and instructional units are included.…

Describes an attempt to design a first-year university French course along lines laid down by researchers associated with the Council of Europe and proponents of the communicative approach. Aspects discussed include approach and objectives, public, materials, activities, and evaluation. (Author/AMH)

An elementary school foreign language program and the French curriculum are described. French and Spanish are among the electives offered as part of a New Jersey magnet school for gifted children from preschool through grade 5. Participation in the daily half-hour instruction is entirely optional and has been growing in popularity during the 5…

Describes a university course on France from 1789 to 1944, a component of the "civilization track" major. Problem- and controversy-oriented, the course follows a chronological order and is divided into 13 units. Course materials include primary texts, slides and tapes, political songs, historically significant documents. (AMH)

A common problem in second language instruction is the lack of correlation between the content of courseware and the specific learning situation of the student. Students using the available programs encounter unfamiliar words and structures, deviant methodologies, or inappropriate levels of difficulty. This causes unnecessary errors and…

A program of studies, instructional resources, and suggestions for activities and materials are presented for use by teachers in an elementary school foreign language program. The program provides supplemental elementary-level instruction for children in such languages as French, German, and Spanish. The program is primarily oral and stresses…

While the exclusive use of French in commercial language courses has the advantage of maximizing student exposure to the target language, it also has the disadvantage of eliminating translation from pedagogical activities. However, translation can be a valuable instructional tool both for helping students assimilate the vocabulary and concepts of…