This article peers through the lens of one district's journey of World Languages program refinement, and identifies a blueprint for success by aligning targets. The author begins by proposing the following questions: (1) Is your program where you want it to be? (2) Is it producing desired results? and (3) Are students yielding the greatest results…

Humanistic principles emphasize the importance of the individual and specific human needs. Humanism in education has been in concern during the last few decades. However, there are controversies as whether to use its principles in foreign language classrooms or not. The present paper provides an overview of the major assumptions underlying…

A study investigated the relationships among vocabulary size, depth of vocabulary knowledge, and reading comprehension in English as a second language (ESL). Subjects were 74 native Chinese- and Korean-speaking students in intensive academic ESL courses in two Ontario universities. They were administered questionnaires to gather demographic and…

Reviews projects undertaken by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages during the past year. These include the production of a set of proficiency guidelines in a generic format as well as in French, German, and Spanish and projects to relate oral proficiency testing to instruction. (SED)

Describes the development and testing of a multifaceted Foreign Language in the Elementary School program evaluation instrument that would efficiently provide essential data regarding such aspects as teacher qualifications, goals and objectives, pedagogy, articulation, homework and grades, parent support, workload, at-risk students, and student…

This manual provides instructors in Peace Corps language training programs with information about two kinds of classroom testing: formative, ongoing testing and summative testing that occurs at the end of an instructional period. The first of the manual's four chapters on the purposes of language testing, discusses language testing within a…

This report presents the results of a study conducted by a professional research firm in order to answer 19 evaluation questions formulated by the Illinois Office of Education. A review and assessment of primary and secondary data sources was conducted, state and local bilingual education officials were consulted, and field data in a Chicago…

Two Australian language curriculum development projects are discussed: the Australian Language Levels (ALL) Project and the National Assessment Framework for Languages at Senior Secondary Level (NAFLSSL). While distinct, both projects are closely linked. Each project was launched in 1985 in a favorable climate and in response to cost, enrollment,…

Describes the experience of two high school French teachers who developed a curriculum for the nine French courses, according to school and departmental goals. The curriculum was developed according to the ACTFL/ETS proficiency guidelines. Examples are given of the format for Level One units. (SED)

In a discussion on amplified objectives in language evaluation, this paper delineates various strands of contextual input that constitute the design of a language program. Philosophical, sociocultural, and psychological aspects are included. Amplified objectives are discussed in the context of domain-referenced language testing and program…

THE FIRST PART OF THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR SUPERVISORS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ITALIAN IS DEVOTED TO AN EXPLANATION OF THE PHILOSOPHY, OBJECTIVES, COURSE CONTENT, AND METHODS OF TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. IN THE SECOND PART, THE TOPICS TO BE TAUGHT ARE DEVELOPED IN DETAIL. EACH TOPIC FOR THE FIRST, SECOND, AND…

The paper surveys a number of projects and documents that are attempting or have claimed to describe a "long-term view" of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learning in schools. A long-term approach involves mapping needs and common pathways and measuring (assessing and reporting on) progress across learners, classes, and year levels.…

This digest discusses some of the practical implications of using alternative methods of assessing students in foreign or second language classrooms. First, assessment and testing are contrasted, and assessment is defined as an ongoing strategy through which student learning is not only monitored, but by which students are involved in making…

A program in English as a second language (ESL) was introduced at the University of Malaya in 1975. The purpose of the program was to develop English skills in the students of the university, with a focus on reading. The present report is a description and evaluation of this program. The following articles are included: (1) "Reading for…

Objective public testing methods were brought into use in language programs in the 1930s, primarily to justify decisions to exclude unqualified students from high school foreign language classes. In the United States, after World War II, government language programs supported research into the assessment of language aptitude to improve selection…