Discusses a model of collaboration developed to enhance students' chances of securing college teaching positions. A graduate track was designed that combined the elements of a traditional program with a foundation in college-level second-language teaching. The elements of this model are to develop shared goals and to use existing resources. (three…

The literature suggests that teachers may rely more often on intuition when making course planning decisions than on informed assessment of learners' needs (Barkhuizen 1998; Spratt 1999). This article proposes a more principled alternative to the intuitive approach, based on the use of teacher-designed class-specific questionnaires intended to…

The Somerset CSE Mode III integrated European Studies syllabus, which contains a French language course, is aimed at the lower and below CSE candidate. The second language element of the course is described and reasons for constructing such a course for less able students are discussed. (RM)

Problems of development of a defined syllabus for modern language courses are discussed, as well as the relationship of the syllabus to testing and public examinations in particular. (RM)

LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION SHOULD BE A SYNTHESIS OF THE BEST OF ALL METHODS. NO METHODOLOGY OR COMBINATION OF METHODOLOGIES WILL CHANGE THE FACT THAT LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE IS THE ACQUISITION OF A COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT SKILL AND CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED ONLY WITH A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND WORK ON THE PART OF BOTH TEACHER AND STUDENT. HOWEVER, IF, WITH THE…

A preliminary set of content objectives for a 4-year Russian program for Wisconsin secondary schools is delin"ated in this curriculum guide. Trends in the high school study of Russian are discussed briefly, and the skills and concepts necessary for communication are spelled out. Major attention is given to the skill and content tables which chart…

To meet the need for a short, self-instructional, tactical language course in a Far Eastern tonal language of potential military significance, a course in Mandarin Chinese was developed by adapting the methods described in Subtask CONTACT II with reference to a European language (Russian). The purpose of the course was to enable combat soldiers to…

Describes a certificate program in German popular universities, designed for adult students of French and based on communication needs and linguistic objectives. (AM)

Discusses student evaluation in foreign-language courses and argues that passing a multiple-choice test should not be a course objective. Suggests that achieving such an objective does not ensure that students understand the topic or that they will use their new knowledge in new situations, nor that they know how to analyze to the appropriate…

Describes the changing social context of Asian language teaching in Australian universities and considers the increasing salience of the economic argument for Asian languages found in major reports on languages in education. Reviews major criticisms of this economic argument. (five references) (Author/CK)

Emphasizes five aspects important to a primary school second-language program in Australia: a program rationale; timing of program initiation; teaching milieu; frequency and length of lessons; and locus for the lessons. The article argues that a new language program must be set up for success and a recurrent budget allowing for print materials,…

Examines the significance of foreign languages for business, particularly Business Chinese, in the 1990s; its curriculum requirements; and the impact of business languages on international business. The article proposes a developmental plan for Business Chinese at the college level including goals, course materials, learning activities, and…

Discusses the need to use the "communicative approach" to teach French grammar in French immersion classes in Canada. Emphasis is placed on the value of using a "needs-based syllabus" that considers the immediate and long-term employment needs of each individual, as well as the psychological and developmental needs. (18…

Presents a case study of the business Japanese program for intermediate and advanced students at the University of Utah. Notes that when offering courses in Japanese, colleges are challenged on how to cope with diversification for the purpose of study, specifically in business Japanese courses. Concludes that it is imperative that American…