This study discusses the effect of early instruction in French in eight elementary schools on subsequent student achievement at the end of grades 7, 8, and 9. The Common Concepts Foreign Language Test in French was the criterion of achievement for the seventh-grade students. Results give averages, differences, and significance of the differences…

This article is a criticism of the NFER report, which evaluated primary school French in England. The following are discussed: factors not considered in the report, whether the conclusions were justified by the evidence, the validity of the tests, and whether the report really evaluates primary school French. (KM)

Native speakers of English entering kindergarten or grade one of the Cincinnati Public Schools are offered the opportunity to learn French, German, or Spanish. Not only do students learn a second language, but it is also used as a medium of instruction in later grades. (Author/SW)

An overview of the status and goals of bilingual education in terms of the FLES experience. It is suggested that bilingual education will be successful if it is properly documented in terms of program achievement. A central agency is needed to interpret and disseminate data collected at the local level. (AMH)

Answers 20 frequently asked questions regarding implementation of elementary school foreign language immersion programs, including consideration of program goals, staffing, total versus partial immersion, student participation, effects on other programs and learning, and parent involvement. (CB)

Suggests that in certain regions of the country such as Iowa, two foreign language goals should take precedence over the goal of language proficiency in elementary schools: (1) to introduce children to other languages and cultures, and (2) to show that they can learn to communicate successfully in another language. (SED)

Discusses the effect of a 10-week, 40-hour program used to prepare 16,000 elementary school (ES) teachers to teach English when it becomes compulsory in Dutch elementary schools. A second issue examined is the competency level an ES teacher must reach to teach a foreign language in elementary school. (SED)

Research is presented in support of the theory that early French immersion of English-speaking children leads to bilingualism. The evidence is limited to children through the end of grade four. Comments and criticisms are made by three guest analysts. (RM)

This study validated the Student Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA), an oral proficiency instrument designed for students in elementary foreign language programs. Elementary students who were tested with the SOPA were also administered other instruments designed to measure proficiency. These instruments included the Stanford Foreign Language Oral…

Text of a presentation delivered at a pre-conference symposium at the Third Annual Meeting of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) on November 25, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (DS)

VOCAW" is Voices of Children Around the World, and ECHO" is Echoes of Classical Heritage in Oklahoma. (DS)

Discusses the aims of activity centers, the planning of interesting and motivating learning tasks, and grouping procedures for elementary school students learning French as a second language. Proposes a French program geared to small groups of students in order to meet individual needs and improve children's ability to communicate. (MES)

Describes a one-semester French course taught by undergraduates and offered to elementary school students. The course stresses basic French vocabulary, a variety of interesting activities such as skits and songs, and parent participation through a "parents' night." (AM)