The Austin (Texas) Independent School District (AISD) has long received federal grant funds under Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to supplement its regular bilingual and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs. In 1990-91, AISD was awarded a 3-year grant to serve a population of limited-English-proficient (LEP) high…

This resource book addresses many of the factors involved in establishing and maintaining an elementary school foreign language program. Chapter 1 provides information on various program models. Chapter 2 addresses program issues, such as establishing a program rationale and choosing the language or languages to be taught, in order to provide…

Interest in elementary school foreign language programs has resurfaced in recent years, and the number of programs is increasing. Many states are requiring foreign language study at the elementary level. For a local school or community seeking to implement elementary school language programs, it is important that a rationale be developed to meet…

The reading skill development of anglophone kindergarten children in French immersion programs in Canada is the subject of the two papers included in this document. The first paper describes a study that examined the English reading ability of both kindergarten and first grade children in immersion programs and compared the results with those of…

The role of different types of testing instruments in second language programs is discussed. Knowledge-based tests, including discrete-point and integrative tests are contrasted with direct tests, including the Foreign Service Institute Scale and the Australian Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ASLPR). The ASLPR is described in detail in terms…

HOPEFUL OF SEEKING MUCH-NEEDED SOLUTIONS TO FLES PROBLEMS, "THE FLORIDA FL REPORTER" DEVOTED ITS FALL 1965 ISSUE TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. HIGHLIGHTED ARE ARTICLES (1) BY FILOMENA AND GUILLERMO DEL OLMO ON A 6-PHASED APPROACH TO THE TEACHING OF STRUCTURE THAT MIGHT HELP SOLVE THE…

THREE UNITED STATES SPECIALISTS IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES SPENT 23 DAYS IN RUSSIA TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT SOVIET SCHOOLS ARE DOING IN THAT FIELD. THEIR REPORT HERE IS BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH 120 SOVIET EDUCATORS AND VISITS TO 29 EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS. REFORMS INITIATED BY THE SOVIET MINISTRY OF EDUCATION IN 1957 ARE BEING CARRIED…

The FLES Committee of the American Association of Teachers of French seeks to maintain interest in FLES through the publication of an annual report on important issues in foreign language instruction in the elementary schools. In the 1971 publication, the primary considerations are goals and guides to methods and materials in FLES. William Herold…

Discusses reasons for enrollment growth at institutions of higher learning, including instructional quality, departmental diversification, instructional innovation, and publicity and recruitment. (AM)

This paper describes and discusses the University of Alaska's language programs for Eskimo-Aleut languages like Yupik and Inupiaq, offered through its Alaska Native Language Center. The paper is critical of the program's over-emphasis on the emphasis on teaching grammar and vocabulary. It argues that, though well intentioned when the framework for…

Achievement test scores for 417 fifth graders in both school settings indicated superior language achievement by the 164 immersion centre students. Questionnaire data from 94 teachers and administrators provided reasons for these differences. Implied that programs should focus on maximum use of French and meeting teachers' materials and resources…

Discusses the presence and significance of linguistics in Italian departments at universities in Australia and worldwide against the background of multiculturalism, the politicization of the Italian population in Australia, and the emergence of Italy as a major economic and political power. Argues that the boundary lines between linguistics and…

Investigates whether a three-month extensive reading program involving graded readers could improve English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners' second language competence. Finds improvement in reading and writing skills and a simpler but more correct use of syntax in the second language. (RS)

Discusses the development of a program to have student teachers of French instruct special-needs pupils in a six-week course of basic French to help prepare them for a school holiday trip to France. Pupil and student teacher attitudes toward the program are examined. (MDM)

Examines the linguistic isolation of 11 million Magyar-speaking Hungarians in a context of political, economic, and educational change. Changes in foreign language learning since 1989 are outlined, and the declining popularity of Russian and increasing interest in studying the languages of Western Europe are discussed. (Contains 13 references.)…