A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN THE SPRING OF 1961 BY TWO EXPERIENCED TEACHERS OF THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (FLES). NEW AND OLD PROGRAMS IN VARIOUS CITIES WERE OBSERVED AND EVALUATED BY VISITS TO 62 SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN 29 STATES. AREAS OF CONCERN INCLUDED--(1) PROGRAM, (2) TEACHERS, (3) MATERIALS, (4) CLASSROOM…

THIS COMMENTARY ON AN EARLIER ARTICLE ABOUT THE DISCONTINUATION OF A 6-YEAR FLES PILOT PROGRAM (SEE "MODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL," VOLUME 50, MARCH 1966) CRITICIZES THE LACK OF CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS OR EXPECTATION OF SUCCESS WHICH CHARACTERIZED THE PROJECT. THE PLANNERS MADE NO ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROGRAM AND FAILED…

This study examines an experimental program for teaching French, starting in grades two, three, and four, in two Canadian elementary schools. The program was established during the 1968-69 academic year. There are three major sections in the report: (1) a description of the pilot program carried out in Allenby and Bedford Park Public Schools, (2)…

Based on a presentation delivered to the Washington Association of Foreign Language Teachers, March 19, 1971. (DS)

A 1965-66 SURVEY OF STATE SUPERVISORS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES WAS DESIGNED TO LEARN ABOUT CURRENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES IN THE USE OF EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION IN THE UNITED STATES. IN ADDITION TO CITING THE GENERAL EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 26 RESPONDENTS, THE REPORT CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC "LIVE" OR COMMERCIALLY…

COMMITTEES WERE SET UP AT A FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND ASSIGNED TO REPORT ON DIFFERENT PROBLEM AREAS OF LANGUAGE TEACHING. IN THE FIRST REPORT, "COMMUNICATION LEADS TO UNDERSTANDING," THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED WITH GAINING COMMUNITY SUPPORT AT THE START OF A NEW LANGUAGE PROGRAM AND THE WAY SCHOOLS SHOULD HANDLE THESE PROBLEMS…

A NEED FOR NEW CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES TO APPRAISE OBJECTIVELY THE COMPETENCIES AND TECHNIQUES OF TEACHERS OF MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES HAS RESULTED IN THIS HANDBOOK TO DESCRIBE WAYS OF OBSERVING VARIOUS FACTORS AND DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHING PERFORMANCE. TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ARE SUCH FACTORS AS THE TEACHER'S ACTIVITIES IN THE…

The recent dissolution of many FLES programs throughout the nation is seen as a trend which is directly related to the quality of the instructional program offered. Consequently, the author lists general criteria to determine standards of excellence in FLES programs and proposes specific constraints to be observed in the development of new FLES…

An introduction provides a brief history of foreign language study in the primary school in various countries and a brief examination of the different attitudes toward early foreign language study. The body of the article presents a case for foreign language study in the primary school on the grounds of sociopolitical developments, trends in…

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…

A statement of valid, acceptable goals and optimum characteristics of foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) is embodied in a section on guidelines for the subjective evaluation of FLES programs and in a field survey evaluation form. Description of ways and means of achieving the stated goals and specifications for measurement and…

Information and recommendations concerning foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) center about a set of criteria for examining proposals and programs made in 1954. Included among the criteria are the importance of goals and their cooperative development, provision for the mental health of teachers and children, sound teaching-learning…

A 10-year educational experiment being conducted in England in which 18,000 elementary school students are taught French by non-specialist teachers is described. The methods used rely extensively on audiovisual materials. Discussion focuses on the following factors affecting the program: (1) sex of the student, (2) socioeconomic status, (3)…

A STUDY WAS MADE OF THE LEVELS OF PROFICIENCY ATTAINED BY FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAJORS IN U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND OF THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ATTAINMENTS OF THESE LEVELS. THE MLA FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS FOR TEACHERS AND ADVANCED STUDENTS WERE ADMINISTERED IN 1965 TO 2,775 SENIORS MAJORING IN FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN,…

DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR PERSONS INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING OR IMPROVING PROGRAMS OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, THIS COLLECTION CONTAINS ARTICLES, RESEARCH REPORTS, SURVEYS, AND GUIDELINES PUBLISHED FROM 1956 TO 1966. INCLUDED ARE--(1) "GUIDELINES FOR TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN MFLS," (2) "THE EDUCATION OF THE MFL…