A brief discussion and description of one commercially available software package ("Pour Ecrire un Mot") for writing letters of various types uses the love letter as an example of the software's functioning. Answers to the prompting questions on the screen determine the few variable parameters of the text to be generated. (four…

A group of students at Saint Laurent upper secondary school in Rotterdam produced a "video letter" to be sent to students at the Saint Michel school in Istanbul, Turkey. The video chronicled the school life of the Dutch students. The planning process and structure of the video are detailed. (MSE)

A discussion of instruction in French telex correspondence suggests class activities for understanding telex use; analyzing the language forms used; producing and responding to messages; and choosing among telex, telephone, and letter correspondence. (MSE)

Four classroom activities are described: (1) one for stimulating beginning students' interest in finding evidence of French language and culture in their own environment; (2) a card game for learning grammar; (3) a letter-writing exercise; and (4) a game using lipograms in the creation of a fictional community. (MSE)

This article deals with the principles of teaching commercial French and describes a specific exercise in the area of import and export correspondence. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

The "A comme..." section presents four articles: Suggested exercises for teaching the use of coordinating conjunctions; a technique for teaching letter-writing, based on an absence-excuse letter; the use of classified ads; and a suggested approach for the analysis of a contemporary novel. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Four classroom activities for French language instruction are described: an exercise focusing on differences in national cuisine and eating habits; a game about the French Revolution; analysis of and activities using a personal letter; and discussion based on a fable. (MSE)

Four teachers from Norway, Italy, and Hungary have found ways to actively prepare their students for overseas exchanges, using student correspondence, discussion of current events, exercises in formulating questions, and student language skill development projects to elevate the visit above superficial tourism. (MSE)

A discussion of the second-language teaching technique of creating "video letters" responds to the questions commonly asked by skeptics about the technique's effectiveness and place in the curriculum. Advantages cited include development of learner autonomy, use of a medium familiar to students, and potential for skill development. (MSE)

The Reseau Video-Correspondence is a network within which students can send videotaped letters to each other across distances. The technique appeals to students and offers a range of possible class activities. (MSE)

A Uruguayan teacher of French to adult secondary students describes her experience setting up a letter-writing program between her students and Ugandan students of French. The subjects of the letters are cultural. (Text is in French.) (MLA)

A French language program for Mexican children established by the Franco-Mexican Alliance uses penpal correspondence to motivate language learning. Age-appropriate and balanced learning activities and a well-articulated progression of courses make this a successful approach for children. (MSE)

Four essays present (1) a method for teaching the use of the quantitative adverbs to French students who are salespersons; (2) use of a cartoon as the starting point for practicing grammatical patterns; (3) ideas for teaching students to write letters or cards in French; and (4) humourous errors in French usage. (AM)

Four French language instruction ideas are presented, including an exercise in using articles and possessive and demonstrative adjectives; student production of radio programs; a lesson in writing postcards to friends; and a young children's game focusing on recognition and assimilation of written words and structures already learned orally. (MSE)

Four ideas for classroom French instruction are described, including a lesson in the use of indicative and subjunctive moods; creative writing exercises; a comparison of the text styles of letters with different purposes; and a beginning French geography lesson. (MSE)