The potential impact of French immersion programs on English-language universities in Canada is discussed, including the demands of increasing numbers of immersion graduates for expanded, nontraditional French-language offerings. Applications of the immersion approach to university-level second language instruction are classified, particularly…

A discussion of survey methodology for investigating second language programs and instruction examines two methods: oral interviews and written questionnaires. Each method is defined, and variations are explored. For interviews, this includes individual, group, and telephone interviews. For questionnaires, this includes self-administered and…

One teacher's experiences teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults in community-based programs are drawn upon to illustrate how ESL syllabus design can better reflect the conditions that attract students to community agencies, and how the agencies can better serve students uninterested in or disadvantaged by formal educational…

A study investigated (1) the everyday lives of Latino immigrant students at a large urban high school in the Southwest and (2) the educational program in place for this population. Subjects were 70 Latino students designated as limited-English-proficient (LEP) and placed in the freshman core English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program in their…

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…

Nanagusja is a Tsuut'ina (Sarcee) language development program designed to complement the Tsuut'ina community's endeavors to revive and maintain the Tsuut'ina language. It is also anticipated that Nanagusja will have a positive effect on the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor development of the Tsuut'ina youth who are exposed to this resource.…

During a merger, an Australian high school was designated as specializing in foreign languages and developed a program consisting of six languages (French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese). The program is described, focusing on admission policies, testing procedures, program design and administration, facilities, and…

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 situational-structural syllabus with emphasis on more clearly defining objectives in both scope and content. Four directions for these syllabi are suggested: (1) priority of semantic and functional notions; (2) subordination of grammatical features; (3) introduction of spoken language discourse; and (4) reduction of grammatical…

Rather than try and shield themselves from organizational change, language departments should turn current administrative attempts to streamline the campus to their advantage, particularly in the trend toward internationalization of the curriculum. Areas for expansion include languages across the curriculum, area studies, study abroad, comparative…

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 curriculum and outcomes of the interdisciplinary Foreign Language, Culture, and Literature Program offered by Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, focusing on the German language component of the program. The program includes a five-month intensive language course, which includes several months of study in a target language…

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)

This case study describes the development and implementation of a 3-week, task-based, learner-centered, business English program for 18 Thai employees of a multinational corporation from various educational and English-language backgrounds. Student attitudes toward the nontraditional task-based curriculum and the results of the program are…