A college-level course is described that is designed to increase oral proficiency and comprehension in Spanish and to introduce students to the culture of the Hispanic world. The course is taught in Spanish, and faculty members from other disciplines serve as guest lecturers to provide reinforcement of material learned in the areas of history,…

This course, designed for instructing potential teaching assistants to teach college students a foreign language, concentrates on six major areas of preparation. A detailed outline covers: (1) course introduction and definitions, (2) applied linguistics, (3) approaches and methods, (4) testing, (5) classroom techniques, and (6) demonstrations.…

Objectives in the teaching of modern languages are enumerated, and their bearing on content and methodology is pointed out. Practical (communication), educational, cultural, and formative objectives are identified and their appropriateness for different educational levels and teaching conditions is discussed. References to second language learning…

This paper is part of a series presented at the symposium on a European units/credits system for modern language learning to adults. Included are a list of 58 modules or units of study, together with some indication of real-life situations in which the skills associated with the modules could be used. These modules have to be further divided so…

THE VARIETY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING SEQUENCES IN MINNESOTA HAS CAUSED A SERIOUS ARTICULATION PROBLEM--BETWEEN LEVELS WITHIN A GIVEN SEQUENCE, BETWEEN SEQUENCES, AND IN INTEGRATING DIFFERENT SEQUENCES AT THE MORE ADVANCED LEVELS. TO HELP ALLEVIATE THESE PROBLEMS THREE COURSES OF STUDY ARE SUGGESTED AND DESCRIBED IN THIS GUIDE. SEQUENCE A…

Teaching functional French is discussed with instructors of groups of foreign workers in mind. It takes as its starting point two "modules" for teaching French ("the highway code at driving school" and "starting and keeping small talk going") and uses them to exemplify some of the difficulties involved in the development and classroom use of…

This paper, presented in English and in Spanish, isolates one area of English for Academic Purposes, listening comprehension, and makes some preliminary suggestions as to factors that might be relevant in course planning and, particularly, in the design of materials. In preparing a language program, a highly instrumental approach should be…

These German culture packets are designed to accompany A-LM Level II and include a statement of the rationale behind the unit, the objectives of the packet, the activities themselves, and a brief evaluation by the student. The activities involve the use of the basic text, the student workbook, corresponding tapes, and fellow students as partners…

This guide was developed to assist schools in the process of self-evaluation of their foreign language programs in grades seven through twelve. The principal focus is on the teaching and learning process, with an emphasis on the quality of the curriculum, the training, experience and effectiveness of the instructional staff, the quality of the…

Two projects of the Ecole Normale Superieure de Saint-Cloud (CREDIF) are described and critically analyzed in this paper: the definition of a threshold level, "Niveau-seuil," in French and a learning module, "Looking for Work," intended to teach necessary written French to migrant workers. The threshold level section is a…

THESE SIX REPORTS OF THE WORKING COMMITTEES OF THE FIRST NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ON THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES, HELD IN 1954, REFLECT THE BASIC AIM OF ASSEMBLING LANGUAGE TEACHERS OF ALL LEVELS WITH THE PURPOSE OF REACHING COMMON AGREEMENT CONCERNING THEIR OBJECTIVES AND THE BEST METHODS OF ACHIEVING THEM. HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS VOLUME IS A…

This document on the threshold level in French is the result of a project commissioned by the Council of Europe to produce a system of units in foreign language instruction for adults in Europe. The "threshold level" is conceived as the compilation of knowledge and skills a person would need in order to express oneself simply but…

The aim of this guide is to raise the quality of instruction and to advance the opportunities available to all pupils for better learning. It is to be completed by each foreign language teacher in the elementary schools and by the program coordinator. The items consist of standards and practices that generally characterize good programs. The areas…

This paper describes the techniques used in a successful, intensive course in introductory Russian. The objectives of the course are to develop good pronunciation and oral communication skills, good listening comprehension skills, some fluency in reading, and some elementary skill in writing. The course relies upon the development of a community…

This publication is one of a series designed to inform and assist those responsible for foreign language instruction, including teachers, administrators, supervisors, and those engaged in teacher education. The complete series serves as a curriculum guide. The format of the series is such that it can be revised so as to keep materials current.…