By representing a language dialogue in French with its English translation, the author demonstrates how flexibility in dialogue construction can help motivate students who do not plan to major in the foreign language. Another section demonstrates innovative methods for helping teach the non-major to overcome pronunciation difficulties in French. A…

A review of trends in foreign language instruction leads the author to suggest that innovations of a challenging and relevant nature be made in the third and fourth years of sequential programs. He notes that flexible scheduling, independent study, team teaching, and individualized instruction are currently being successfully implemented.…

Practical suggestions for language teachers seeking to teach both "formal" and "deep" culture are proposed in this study. Six projects are outlined, demonstrating how audiovisual materials can be used to facilitate teaching methods. The author advises that "culture" be treated as an integral part of all language courses rather than as a separate…

This pamphlet is designed to provide general guidelines for beginning teachers who are interested in establishing a Spanish program. Contents include suggested outlines and materials for basic and advanced courses. Sections on testing, teaching aids, and library materials for teachers of Spanish are included. (RL)

An outline of principles for the construction of study materials is presented, including: (1) an analysis of prerequisites: goals, pupils, and language; (2) analysis of the educational process in experiments on method; (3) analysis of products with tests of various kinds; and (4) a description of the process of constructing study materials…

Spanish culture units developed by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese are described in this article. The design of modular culture units, intended to permit greater individualization of instruction, is discussed and illustrated with frequent reference to specific examples. Suggestions on how teachers can begin to…

A discussion of the nature of performance objectives is summarized in this way: "they state (1) what the student will do, (2) under what conditions, (3) to what level of mastery, and (4) using what time limit (if any)." Having established the importance of performance objectives for modern language teachers, the author suggests their specific…

A superintendent of schools shares his views on the problems of maintaining and developing foreign language programs. Reasons supporting foreign language study underscore the need for innovative programs which are socially relevant for the masses as well as for the gifted student. Discussion of the significance of communication, cultural…

After a thorough debunking of the traditional justification for the teaching of French, the author proposes to revitalize interest in language instruction through wide-scale curricular reforms. Socioeconomic problems in the United States are related to student unrest and declining enrollment in language programs. An outline of suggested…

Foreign language teaching is held up and mirrored against current social realities and the "contemporary scene" and found to be lacking in both content and appeal. To combat certain negative trends in the teaching profession, the author discusses five characteristics of education now considered to be vital to successful teaching. They include the…

The leitmotif of this address, inspired by lines found in William B. Yeats'"The Second Coming", underscores the need for a greater display of solidarity of language teachers through increased participation in professional associations. The work of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is discussed and noted to be vital…

This issue of a continuing newsletter on individualizing language instruction provides discussion of how several educators have implemented individualized language programs in their school systems. Editorial comments introduce articles on: 'No-Fail' German Individualized Program at the University of California at Riverside, (2) Self-Paced…

Collected readings by noted writers in the field of language instruction develop a case for the study of foreign languages. Discussion largely focuses on the problem of the language requirement, the place of foreign languages in the curriculum, methods, philosophy, and interdisciplinary studies. Articles included are: (1) "Should Foreign Language…

This article explores the question of whether language teachers are capable of ascertaining student acquisition of grammatical rules when the lesson is taught orally. Oral fluency is seen as the foundation of the language process,and a distinction is made between productive and reproductive speech. Frequent use of examples illustrates linguistic…