This article presents a roundup of the Arabic language instruction offered in the Dearborn, Michigan, school district. Only one of the district's 22 elementary schools--Becker--offers Arabic. Pupils receive at least two 40 minute periods of Arabic a week. The school gave up a two-way immersion program, in which students were taught half their…

In foreign language education where culture has been integrated as a core curricular component, a "categorical approach" to the concept of culture has been the mainstay. Depending on the orientation of the times, academic debate has been focused on what category of culture should be emphasized in the second language classroom. "Behavioral culture"…

The conflicting pressures of supply and demand often raise significant challenges for providers of languages for adults. Numbers of learners are inconveniently patchy, trends in take-up often short lived and provision vulnerable due to funding pressures. This makes institution-based curriculum planning very precarious. The answer, it seems more…

A survey of volunteer programs in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy instruction in Illinois is reported. The report begins with a review of literature concerning ESL literacy volunteerism, most of which is descriptive and program-specific. The statewide survey results are then summarized, giving an overview of ESL volunteer programming.…

This report describes the use of the natural approach to second language instruction to improve the teacher training program at Purdue University (Indiana). First, the report discusses the establishment of a permanent, non-tenure-track position of Assistant Director for Beginning Levels of Spanish. Second, focus is on the improvement of the…

The role and status of English instruction in West Germany is outlined. The regions of West Berlin, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia are highlighted. The role of English and English instruction in the country as a whole, English instruction in the educational system, the demand for and qualifications of English teachers, textbook selection and…

The effectiveness of alternative programs for teaching French as a second language in Ottawa and Carleton schools was evaluated. French proficiency, English skills, and academic achievement were assessed among students in grades 3-8 in the core French program, grades 4-6 in extended French, grades 10 and 12 in the bilingual program, and grade 8…

Alternative programs for teaching French as a second language in Ottawa and Carleton schools were evaluated. The study included a cross-sectional replication of previous French listening comprehension testing of grade 4-8 students in the core French program, French proficiency testing of grades 10 and 12 primary and late entry immersion students,…

A consensus has emerged on many issues in communicative language teaching, but one question that needs attention is the question of what ought to constitute the appropriate starting point in the design and implementation of a second language program. Two positions to consider are the following: first, the development of communicative methodology,…

The Advanced Language Training Program (ALTP) of the Language Training Branch of the Public Service Commission of Canada is described. The ALTP is a structured program designed to increase employee second language proficiency. The program has an academic phase and an assignment period. The core of the four-month academic phase is a set of modules…

The student learning profile consists of a cover sheet for including basic student information and checklists that focus on language and job-related skills. The cover sheet contains spaces for pre- and post-test scores, student expressed learning goals, and the proposed teaching and learning plan. The checklists, one for each of three…

This report describes four urban elementary schools in Massachusetts that provide integrated two-way bilingual education to linguistic minority and majority students. Properly designed and implemented, two-way bilingual programs offer a language-rich environment with high expectations for every student in a climate of cross-cultural respect.…

This digest focuses on the articulation of foreign language programs between secondary and higher education. The following questions are addressed: (1) What are urgent reasons for better program articulation?; (2) What forms does articulation take?; (3) What aspects of the educational process does articulation address?; (4) Are there examples of…

New York City's Project TRAIN offers parents of high school students of limited English proficiency (LEP) an opportunity to improve their English-language skills. The targeted language groups are Spanish, Haitian Creole (the largest group), Khmer, Korean, and Chinese. Classes are offered at four sites around the city. In 1985-86, the second year…

Although three types of foreign language program exist in elementary schools (immersion, partial immersion, and core courses), there is no conclusive evidence as to what length of instruction time results in greater student achievement. A logical approach to foreign language teaching at the elementary level is one that integrates foreign language…