The usefulness of various forms of folk literature as grammatical, literary, historical, and cultural sources in foreign language teaching is discussed and guidelines are suggested for classroom implementation. Although the focus is on folk or fairy tales, folk literature is defined to encompass myths, local legends, saints' legends, children's…

Second language acquisition (SLA) research is examined in terms of what might be used in the planning, design, and implementation of language courses. A conception of language and the communicative use of language that is appropriate for formal language teaching and learning is discussed, and different conditions are described under which second…

Curriculum objectives are detailed for the Milwaukee German Language Arts Program in the German Immersion Program. The report is based on the English Language Arts Program in the Milwaukee Public Schools. The philosophy of the program is to use the second language as both the tool and object of instruction. The curriculum indicates what is…

Curriculum objectives are detailed for the Milwaukee French Language Arts Program in the French Immersion Program. The report is based on the English Language Arts Program in the Milwaukee Public Schools. The philosophy of the program is to use the second language as both the tool and object of instruction. The curriculum indicates what is…

The Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) is an instructional program for limited English proficient (LEP) students who are being prepared to participate in mainstream content instruction. CALLA students are taught to use learning strategies derived from a cognitive model of learning as aids to comprehension and retention of…

As part of the National Evaluation Program of the Swedish school system, proficiency in the English language is evaluated for students in grade 5 (at age 12 years). Variation between classes and variation within classes were studied in a multilevel factor analysis (MFA) using a sample of 3,162 students in 162 classes for whom student questionnaire…

This report on model learner outcomes for world languages education is divided into five sections. The first describes the values, philosophy, mission, and goals of the Minnesota State Board of Education. The second section provides an introduction to and information on the goals of world languages education. Section three presents a range of…

This report presents ideas on the use of poetry in teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. Chapter 1 describes beliefs about language and language learning, and offers a theoretical justification for including the reading and writing of poetry in the language classroom. Chapter 2 is a collection of poetry activities that have been…

This digest presents ideas for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in foreign countries where textbooks or other traditional instructional materials are limited or unavailable. The activities discussed emphasize student participation, require creativity, and encourage students to enjoy learning English. Four particular activities used by…

A study of the acquisition of the auxiliary (tense, modal, perfect, and progressive) by 36 adult learners of English as a second language at three levels whose first languages were Arabic, Japanese, and Spanish is reported. The students were given three tests, on oral production, written production, and written reception. Nineteen verb structures…

The effectiveness of three teaching techniques used by native speakers with students of English as a second language was studied. The three techniques were presenting a word in isolation, in combination with a picture, and in a sentence. The study included a 24-hour interval between teaching and testing to determine which method was more effective…

A study in Moncton, New Brunswick, of second language use by language minorities and native language maintenance as it relates to the linguistic groups' vitality and the individuals' attitudes toward these groups is reported. Seven research hypotheses were proposed: (1) The first language group's perception of the second language group's vitality…

This article consists of a brief historical look at training programs for graduate assistants at American universities, followed by a detailed examination of such a program currently in existence at the University of Pennsylvania. The focus of that program is relevant communication between students, and not merely grammatical form. (CLK)

Since students enter a community college with varying backgrounds and educational preparation, one college uses self-paced individualized instruction in foreign languages. Activities include large and small group meetings, conferences with peer tutors and such materials as cassette tapes, slides and videotapes. Students proceed through modules at…

The long-range objectives of ESL in bilingual/bicultural programs include: 1) writing acceptable prose; 2) reading English acceptably; 3) competence in grammatical analysis; 4) competence in verbal persuasion; 5) competence in skills of a coordinate bilingual; 6) functional comprehension of both cultures and 7) use of language variety. (CHK)