While Australian policy supports cultural diversity and promotes language instruction, public attitudes and the resources available for language education are not favorable. The lack of progress may be attributed in part to the nature of decision-making processes, resulting in unbalanced and ill-conceived policy. National language policy-making…

In response to requests of adult students for foreign language instruction for their kindergarten and elementary school aged children, and after researching the availability of such instruction in the area, Tarrant County Junior College developed a series of nonsequential courses of 12 lessons each on common topics such as parts of the body, the…

A federally funded project was undertaken at the University of New Hampshire to: (1) determine the feasibility of incorporating specific techniques of oral proficiency evaluation in college-level foreign language courses, (2) create a network of foreign language professors in northern New England colleges and universities trained in the use of…

A census of secondary schools in Illinois as well as in the nation has revealed that less than 25% of the students are enrolled in foreign language classes. While most secondary schools in Illinois offer some foreign language instruction, there are small rural schools that are unable to offer a solid program. The French Language Intensive Program…

Guidelines are provided for incorporating a new component into the San Francisco Community College District's English as a Second Language (ESL) Master Plan: "Beginning ESL for Non-Literate Students." Introductory sections give an overview of the curriculum; describe how to use the guide; discuss classroom techniques; describe objectives related…

Two approaches to college second language instruction are described. One, an on-campus option, gives students a classroom opportunity that is similar to the intensive/immersion program, which is a ten-week intensive language course followed by a ten-week program in Mexico, France, or Germany. The on-campus option, called "Super," is a…

Specific objectives of the May 1979 colloquy of the Council for Cultural Co-operation of the Council of Europe are described as: (1) to present and discuss three pilot projects in France, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Sweden for developing language learning objectives for adult migrants; (2) to produce plans for further modern language…

The inability of most Americans to use a foreign language is largely the result of limited educational opportunities, which in turn are the outcome of common negative attitudes toward the need for foreign language study in the United States. To bring better foreign language programs to more people, foreign language study must be "sold" to the…

Describes the development and implementation of a TVEI French course in Wirral (England) for 16- to 18-year-olds. The course emphasizes practical use of language in everyday life and employment, linguistic awareness, and successful communication rather than linguistic perfection. (CB)

Describes the participation of five Pennsylvania colleges in a summer study program at the Akademie Neiderberg in Bonn, West Germany. The program offers an integrated approach to language instruction and cultural studies that is tailored to fit the specific needs and preparation of its participants. (CB)

Analyzes the objectives of foreign language teaching at the higher education level from the perspective of languages for specific purposes (LSP) and suggests that specifying the purpose of language teaching objectives in foreign language degree programs can contribute both to the practical relevance of graduates' proficiency and to the inner…

Discusses the current status of foreign language education in the United States and addresses immediate and future challenges to the effective promotion of policies that encourage language study and international education. Legislative efforts, public policy initiatives, and private organizations have each contributed to the high status of foreign…

The teaching of Latin to verbally precocious students enhances their vocabulary and linguistic competence in English and prepares them for study of other foreign languages. The ideal curriculum would feature: instruction from fourth through twelfth grade; teachers experienced in teaching Latin and gifted students; and intensive language programs.…

Secondary school French immersion programs in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are outlined, and some causes of student attrition are discussed. Institutional, societal, and individual variables are related to the situation; suggestions on provisions for immersion students' special French language needs on the postsecondary level are offered. (AMH)

Argues that there is a growing need for professionally oriented English as a second language (ESL) instruction in American colleges, universities, and companies, which should combine aspects of both ESL and English for Special Purposes (ESP) in what here is called "generalized ESP." Two illustrations of this approach are discussed. (SED)