Provides background information on Halloween and its celebration in North America, along with suggestions for student- and teacher-initiated activities for classroom use. The material and activities may be translated or adapted to various target languages in foreign, second, or bilingual education programs. (MDM)

Discusses the use of a reading and listening library in foreign language programs, allowing students to freely choose nonacademic reading materials and audiotapes to promote student interest in the target language. (contains two references) (MDM)

Discusses the creation of a positive classroom climate, examines four dimensions of classroom climate (physical, academic, organizational, and social-emotional), and reviews techniques that teachers can use to promote a positive classroom climate. Teachers need to get to know their students, discuss the course objectives with their students, and…

A member of the Toronto Board of Education argues that exposure to international languages in elementary school constitutes an important part of a forward-looking, up-to-date educational system. Maintains that the learning of a second or third language has positive social and economic benefits. (MDM)

Presents effective strategies to enhance parental support for school second-language (L2) programs, focusing on orientating parents to L2 programs, capitalizing on current international events, direct parent-teacher cooperation, and involving parents in cultural projects. Techniques for engendering support for Ukrainian L2 language programs are…

Describes the Multidimension Curriculum Model for developing a language curriculum and suggests a generic approach to selecting and sequencing learning objectives. Alberta Education used this model to design a new French-as-a-Second-Language program. The experience/communication, culture, language, and general language components at the beginning,…

Argues that Canada's policy of encouraging the study of heritage/international languages not only contributes to economic and cultural development, but plays an important role in the intellectual growth of the individual and in the construction of a world where communication and peace are possible. (contains 12 references) (MDM)

Discusses language policy in Quebec, reviewing the rise of French as the dominant language in the province, the maintenance and promotion of heritage languages and cultures in public and private schools, and three initiatives to promote second-language study (parent-child classes for immigrants, French language courses for adults, and school…

This article offers suggestions for preschool and elementary school second language programs that will help students appreciate and understand the culture of the language they are studying. It focuses on cultural differences in nonverbal communication, art appreciation, teacher training and recruitment, and research needs in the field. (11…