Examines the concept of self-assessment as it relates to the field of second languages and then reports on an ongoing research project in which a self-assessment questionnaire is being used as a placement instrument for students registering for language courses at the Center for Second Language Learning in Ottawa. (SED)

Reports a survey on student perceptions of articulation effectiveness which furnished data on three topics: (1) percentage of students who had to start a foreign language over in college; (2) reasons for dropping back, or articulation problems between secondary and postsecondary education; and (3) placement methods. (SED)

Argues for cooperation between university language departments and Self-Instructional Language Programs (SILP) coordinations, as well as for the recognition of the National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs (NASILP) as a valuable center for standardization and evaluation. (AM)

Urges foreign language departments at colleges and universities to take advantage of what is new--student demographics, academic preparation, the position of the humanities in society--and regard it as an opportunity to rethink the curriculum. Provides a six-stage outline of the process, from taking stock of what faculty members and their fields…

Examines the role of songs in Arabic as a foreign language university courses. It is argued that songs can be effectively used to impart knowledge of, as well as about, the target language in its standard and nonstandard forms and can help to place the target language in its cultural context. (10 references) (GLR)

College second language programs offer more to students than knowledge of the language. Language study can challenge students intellectually and creatively and contribute to their academic and social development, even when language study is begun at this level. Value is found in the substance, process, and outcomes of language study. (Author/MSE)

Suggests that robust foreign language departments, such as Spanish, must support other languages or end up as the only language offered on campus other than English. (Author/VWL)

Discusses how languages other than English are perennially under pressure not only in Australia but in the United States as well. Focuses on how the eighteen City university of New York system--better known as CUNY--implemented a blueprint for the future to help foreign language programs from disappearing. This included reorganizing language…

Articulation is one of the principal challenges of all foreign language programs. A key component of the articulation process is an assessment of student language abilities. On college and university campuses this process is usually conducted via a placement test. As developments in proficiency research have progressed, it is clear that programs…

In 2002, nearly 100,000 high school students took one of the Advanced Placement Program? (AP?)language examinations in French, German, or Spanish. One way in which the validity of these exams is ensured is through periodic college comparability studies. The purpose of such studies is to equate the AP scores with performance standards in the third…

This course was developed at Lansing Community College in order to allow students to study beginning Spanish at their individual learning rate. The materials consist of an orientation packet, student record sheets, quarter-term syllabi, tape lists, and nineteen lesson packets for Elementary Spanish. The materials were designed to accompany…

Foreign language acquisition research (concerned with the theoretical and practical issues related to socialization into and literacy in another language and culture) can help integrate language, literature, and culture in foreign language departments because it draws on insights gained from such diverse fields as anthropology, sociology,…

Problems which college level foreign language instruction must attack are cultural inertia fostered by the rise of English as the world lingua franca; pressure to include more languages and subjects in higher education; subordination of the field to the interest of social sciences; and inroads of "general literature" into the place of primary…

Describes the University of Arizona's plan of action for defining and testing second language proficiency at the fourth semester level (a college requirement). Tasks include (1) reviewing proficiency literature; (2) redefining the second language requirement by using the ACTFL proficiency guidelines; (3) developing testing techniques; and (4)…

Reports the results of three years of developing computer-assisted instruction in Italian for college first-year courses and discusses the program's advantages and disadvantages, including the use of the Commodore 64 computer, the alleviation of computer fear, computer mastery, and the possibility of error. (Author/CB)