A study of the French language learning progress of immigrants to Quebec had four objectives: (1) to identify the functional level of oral French of two groups of immigrants after language training at one of the province's immigrant orientation centers; (2) to verify whether after a six month period of employment the language proficiency level has…

A TWO-YEAR EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO DEVELOP "BILINGUAL READINESS" WAS UNDERTAKEN IN KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE CLASSES IN NEW YORK CITY. TWO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ONE IN A POVERTY AREA AND ONE IN A MIDDLE CLASS AREA, WERE CHOSEN FOR THE STUDY. EFFORTS WERE MADE TO CHOOSE SIX KINDERGARTEN AND SIX FIRST GRADE CLASSES COMPOSED OF EQUAL NUMBERS…

Briefly summarizes the history of language instruction in the United States, and offers statements and recommendations with regard to language instruction at the university level. (AM)

In response to an earlier article on foreign language learning disabilities in college students, the article reports on a similar study using the Modern Language Aptitude Test and concludes that, as yet, tests are not adequate to determine a disability affecting foreign language learning. (DB)

Describes the Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning, which is made up of 11 major private research universities. This group seeks an active forum for discussion and cost-effective solutions to major problems in foreign language education. (CB)

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)

Second language immersion programs, originally developed in Canada some 20 years ago, have been implemented in a number of U.S. cities. Alternative forms of U.S. programs are described--enriched, magnet, and two-way bilingual--and research findings pertaining to the effectiveness of each are summarized and discussed. (Author)

Recommends foreign-language camps as a remedy for lack of practice in speaking. Relates experiences with a two-day camp at a youth hostel in North Germany, for 25 to 30 students from a teachers' college. Advantages of such camps are described and details of the program are given. (IFS/WGA)

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)

Surveys factors easing foreign language students' transition from middle to high school, including the type of program, degree of success in transition, problems in achieving effective articulation, and effective articulation strategies. Findings indicate that the greater the number of articulation strategies practiced, the greater likelihood…

This article describes Funetics, a game for teaching introductory French to gifted students that uses cartoon logos to represent words. The principles of logo formation and implementation are discussed. The article also reviews the psychological theory embodied in the game, how gifted students process the game, and the game's pedagogical value.…

Examines the extent to which research findings from second language and immersion programs--concerning the efficacy of different instructional approaches--are transferable to the context of foreign language learning in British higher education. Data are drawn from a study of German learners exposed to focus on form tuition and focus on forms…