The results of an evaluation of a New Brunswick elementary school immersion program show that native speakers of English do not achieve the same proficiency in French language skills as they do in English. This is due to their limited exposure to native French speaking models outside the classroom. (MSE)

The guide is designed to help elementary school administrators and school communities in making decisions about FLES (foreign language in the elementary school) program design and implementation. An introductory chapter provides definitions of relevant program types (FLES, exploratory/FLEX, and immersion). The second chapter reviews the current…

A language education specialist who has studied elementary school second language programs, primarily in France but also in other European countries, outlines the factors he has found contributing to program success and makes recommendations for further development of second language education in Europe. Seven conditions for effective programs of…

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 4-day inservice teacher workshop, held so that teachers from a number of countries could share ideas and experiences about foreign language teaching at the elementary school level, is described. Speeches and events of each day are summarized briefly, and plenary sessions are chronicled in somewhat more detail. The latter include: a description…

Using sources such as personal observation, personal communication, and published literature, this essay identifies issues that have accounted for Foreign Languages in Elementary Schools (FLES) programs' failure to survive. Seven essential elements of a successful foreign language program in the elementary school are identified and discussed: (1)…

The partial immersion program at Key Elementary School (Arlington, Virginia), where half the day is taught in English and half in Spanish, continued to be successful in its eighth year. Reasons for success include: dedication and in-depth understanding of immersion philosophy among principal, coordinator, teachers, and staff; innovations in both…

A 1994 study investigated foreign language instruction in the elementary schools (FLES) in Austin, Texas. Data were drawn from telephone interviews with school personnel, from documents and records at the state department of education, and from visits to schools offering FLES instruction. The report presents information on the seven school…

The partial immersion program at Key Elementary School (Arlington, Virginia), where half the day is taught in English and half in Spanish, continued to be successful in its ninth year. Reasons for success include: dedication and in-depth understanding of immersion philosophy among principal, coordinator, teachers, and staff; innovations in both…

This book is designed as both a methods text and practical guide for school districts and teachers involved in foreign language instruction at the elementary and middle school levels (grades K-8). Its primary concern is with majority-language speakers and with beginning-level classes. Brief introductory sections outline key concepts for success.…

The Louisiana guide for administration of secondary language programs in grades 4-8 outlines the state foreign language mandate and offers guidelines and suggestions for a variety of program elements. An introductory section gives the broad rationale for foreign language instruction and cites the state mandate. The guide then proceeds to specify:…

The report describes the implementation and continuing documentation of a Japanese second language program in a laboratory elementary school at the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). The structure of the curriculum and instructional strategies used are described for each of the program's 2 years, and results of student assessments and…