The meanings and effects of government-funded language training programs is an important research subject because it concerns possible prejudices against immigrants and negative stereotypes as well as discussions on the effectiveness of immigrant integration policies in general. The effects of civic integration programs are difficult to measure,…

The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of stakeholders (leadership of Concordia Language Villages, staff members and villagers of "Lac du Bois", the French Language Village of Concordia Language Villages), related to achievement of the mission statement. The research question was: How do stakeholders in "Lac du…

Describes a pilot scheme for the Early Teaching of Modern Languages (ETML). Four points are discussed: (1) the aims and organization of the Pilot Scheme; (2) the limitations of the scheme and implications for ETML in general; (3) current developments in Britain; and (4) implications for the future of ETML. (PJM)

Reviews the history of the "pilot scheme" for introducing French into the curriculum of British primary schools, highlighting the project's limitations and the negative findings of the National Foundation for Educational Research report, and assesses the prospects for the future of the project. (AM)

THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS PREPARED THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (FLES) FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE DISTRICTS WISHING TO INITIATE SUCH A PROGRAM. THE MAIN BODY OF THIS BULLETIN IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS, THE FIRST DISCUSSING FLES MERITS, DRAWBACKS, AND OBJECTIVES, AND CURRICULUM PLANNING,…

Discusses weaknesses in the Burstall report's evaluation of a pilot experiment in elementary-to-secondary French instruction. (AM)

A British experiment in teaching French in primary schools was evaluated from 1964-1974 by the National Foundation for Educational Research. This paper describes the experiment and the students, their progress, and results of the study. (CHK)

This article questions the validity of many conclusions of the ten-year experiment with teaching French in primary schools in England and Wales in the report, "Primary French in the Balance." Some conclusions are based on restricted opinion conflicting with report data. Parallels are drawn with the "Pennsylvania Project." (CHK)

The speaking skills of grade 8 students in a core French program in Ottawa were compared with the skills of grade 6 students enrolled in the core program. A total of 337 grade 8 students were given a French speaking test. Two-hundred and nine students had taken the test in grade 6. In general, the grade 8 students seemed prepared to express basic…

Describes research on core, extended, and immersion French as a second language programs in Canada over the past decade. Results show older learners tend to be more efficient learners in some aspects of second language learning, but there may be some advantages to starting earlier in an intensive program. (BK)

This paper presents the results of an evaluation of a bilingual education program for English-speaking pupils, grades 1-4, in Ontario. It is a partial French immersion program, with instruction in French or English half of each day. Evaluative tests are described, and English and French language skills examined. (CHK)

This article is a criticism of the NFER report, which evaluated primary school French in England. The following are discussed: factors not considered in the report, whether the conclusions were justified by the evidence, the validity of the tests, and whether the report really evaluates primary school French. (KM)

The effectiveness of alternative programs for teaching French as a second language in Ottawa and Carleton schools was evaluated. French proficiency, English skills, and academic achievement were assessed among students in grades 3-8 in the core French program, grades 4-6 in extended French, grades 10 and 12 in the bilingual program, and grade 8…

Alternative programs for teaching French as a second language in Ottawa and Carleton schools were evaluated. The study included a cross-sectional replication of previous French listening comprehension testing of grade 4-8 students in the core French program, French proficiency testing of grades 10 and 12 primary and late entry immersion students,…