Focuses on the contents of foreign language texts and the types of foreigners who learn French. The article notes the tone of didactic discussions in these manuals and questions the usage of two terms appearing there--"methodology" and "selection." (Author/CK)

This article reports on a study carried out twice on an online second language course that was set up between a Canadian University and a German University. In that course, students of German in Canada and students of English in Germany exchanged 2,412 messages in 2004 and 1,831 messages in 2005. A list of processing criteria for assessment was…

The 2008 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages focused on learning about the diverse backgrounds and needs of today's students. The 2009 Conference continued that focus and added diversity by instructors in using a variety of teaching methods, strategies, themes, technologies, and assessments. Presenters from all 17 states…

This writer questions some of the basic conventions of foreign language teaching in this country. As an alternative approach, he suggests an exploratory concept for grades 5-8. (Editor)

A method for individualizing the study of a literary text is presented. It emphasizes the need to develop the four skills while deemphasizing the traditional role of literary texts as a vehicle for acquiring critical literary skills. (Author/RM)

Author talked to Louis Alexander, a best-selling English author virtually unknown in his own country. (Editor/RK)

Criticizes the three leading Russian textbooks used in West Germany for not basing their phonetic teaching on a firm knowledge of Russian phonemes. Suggestions are made for incorporating a "minimum phonetics" into a basic Russian course. Authentic language situations, imitation, and theory are important. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Reviews the content of the courseware contained in "EXITO: Survival Spanish," noting that this course is divided into 10 chapters and contains material typically covered in a beginning Spanish course (e.g., vocabulary units including greetings, family members, time expressions, etc.). The primary strength of the EXITO program is that it is a…

This article discusses the rich cultural resources embedded with German hip-hop music and its potential impact on the foreign language classroom. In particular, this article suggests methods and materials for integrating German hip-hop music in the discussion of recent controversial cultural events and attitudes in German after the "Wende."

Professors at the "Institucion Universitaria Colombo Americana" (UNICA) have aimed to deliver lessons for second language learners which integrate content and language, resulting in an "integrated lesson" design. The Center for Applied Linguistics (Washington, DC) recommends the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP)…

Two experimental bilingual classes in French begun in Somerset, Scotland, in September 1973 are described. Included in the course are the study of the language itself and of geography and French civilization through the French language. (RM)

This paper provides a brief survey of the uses of videotape recording (VTR) in the field of foreign language education. Points in favor of VTR are: 1) it reproduces the totality of the speech act, and 2) it is ideal for individualized instruction. (TL)

The Modern Language Association conducted a survey of career-oriented, community-related interdisciplinary, and non-traditional foreign language offerings in US colleges and universities. Informal descriptions are given of seven such courses relating to the teaching of literature. (Author/RM)