Despite the growing societal demand for multilingual graduates prepared to engage in local and global contexts, programs to meet these demands are scarce, especially in K-8 contexts. When schools do seek to implement programs, stakeholders struggle to choose from the established models because research documenting desired outcomes is lacking.…

This article reports on the implementation of the Integrated Performance Assessment (IPA) in an Early Foreign Language Learning program. The goal of this research was to examine the performance of grade 4 and 5 students of Spanish on the IPA. Performance across the three communicative tasks is described and modifications to IPA procedures based on…

Although researchers have begun to explore the implementation of dynamic assessment (DA) with foreign language learners, few of these studies have occurred in the language classroom. Whereas DA is typically implemented in dyads, promising research in the field of foreign language learning suggests that DA may promote development with groups of…

Current literature in the field of foreign language describes the benefits and challenges of elementary foreign language programs that meet several days a week over the course of a year, however little is known about elementary school foreign language programs that provide daily instruction within limited time frames of several weeks during the…

Some simple word games are suggested to aid in teaching foreign languages at the elementary level. (CK)

THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS PREPARED THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (FLES) FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE DISTRICTS WISHING TO INITIATE SUCH A PROGRAM. THE MAIN BODY OF THIS BULLETIN IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS, THE FIRST DISCUSSING FLES MERITS, DRAWBACKS, AND OBJECTIVES, AND CURRICULUM PLANNING,…

A project is reported that developed a test for students in foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) programs. Relevant tests in Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) were reviewed in order to develop a listening and reading test that could determine achievement in a typical FLES curriculum. Pilot testing was conducted with 121…

DESIGNED FOR TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND SUPERVISORS, THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES GENERAL AND SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING AND CONDUCTING A FLES PROGRAM. IT DISCUSSES TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND AIDS, CONSIDERATIONS IN INTRODUCING READING AND WRITING, SELF-EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR TEACHERS, AND TOPICS APPROPRIATE AT EACH GRADE LEVEL (K-8). THE…

Three research projects conducted by three major televised FLES programs attempted to assess the effect of follow-up activities by the classroom teacher. The programs involved in the projects were "Parlons Francais," the University of Illinois Foreign Language Instruction Project (Spanish), and the Denver-Stanford Project on the Context…

La Escuelita, a Warwick (Rhode Island) Spanish language instruction program for children in grades 3 through 6, originated in 1983 in a group-tutoring program and expanded under the auspices of the local Parent-Teacher Association into an after-school activity for all city schoolchildren. The PTA undertook the administrative tasks, and the…