Canadian alternatives to early immersion programs for acquisition of French as a second language are discussed in the context of feasibility and known or potential value. The concept of a bicultural school is discussed. (Author/RM)

Reports the results of six elementary school Latin instructional programs which have produced solid results in children's language and reading performance. Discusses the importance of Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES. (BF/JH)

Describes diverse aspects of the speaking proficiency of novice-low to novice-mid level foreign language in the elementary school students and to identify the syntactic knowledge underlying such behavior. Data were collected from students who had been studying Japanese continually for 6 and 7 years on a variety of oral production tasks.…

The history of foreign languages in the elementary school (FLES) in the United States reveals six reasons, not commonly acknowledged, for declining enrollment in the 1950s and 1960s. A checklist for self-evaluation of new and existing programs based on those reasons is presented. (53 references) (Author/MSE)

Describes an experimental French foreign language program in one Italian region's primary schools. Discussion focuses on specific strategies used for developing proficiency at that age level based on the characteristics of French and the nature of language. (MSE)

Proposes a conceptual framework for integrating second language and content instruction, in which language and content teachers work collaboratively to determine language-teaching objectives. This framework is applied in English as a Second Language, language immersion, elementary school foreign language, and mainstream classes. (Author/CB)

A survey, sponsored by the Joint National Committee for Languages, attempts to document the extent of the foreign language teacher shortage in the United States, avenues for curtailing shortages where they exist, and opportunities and incentives available for attracting new teachers or allowing teachers currently working to maintain or improve…

Describes the use of interactive homework, which requires parent and student participation, to strengthen the connection between parents and their children's school. Discusses the use of interactive homework in a kindergarten through fifth-grade program for Japanese as a foreign language at the Falk Laboratory School at the University of…

Reports on the current progress of implementing the Basic Education Program wherein all school systems in North Carolina schools (K-12) will have a foreign language program by 1995, and students will be required to study a foreign language in grades K-5. The history, legislation, program implementation, and teacher training involved is discussed.…

Investigated attitudinal changes of elementary students studying a second language and presents the development of an attitudinal assessment instrument, its reliability, and a summary of findings from initial administrations. Compared attitudinal differences between students involved in a regular foreign language in the elementary schools (FLES)…

Discusses the need to start second-language learning in the primary grades and the budget constraints impeding implementation of early second-language education. The article advocates using the young children themselves to persuade school administrators and parents to support the teaching of second-language courses in the primary grades. (CK)

Reports the results of a three-year qualitative observation study of a Japanese foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) program. The observation was analyzed from the sociocultural point of view led by Vygotsky, which treats learning through social guidance and motivation as central to an account of language development. (Author/JL)

This article considers Modern Languages in the Primary School (MLPS), which have reached a crucial stage in both England and Scotland. It looks at developments in the two countries and considers these against both a historical and European background. The authors, drawing on their practical experience, put forward some of the key points to be…

The Esperanto language was consciously designed as a coherent system, in contrast to the 3000 conventional languages originated by people's cave-dwelling ancestors. The systematic nature of Esperanto makes it ideal as an instructional tool. The amorphous nature of English makes its serious use very difficult for students. Even though they learn to…

This discussion briefly surveys the development of the immersion method of second language teaching, outlining the central program strategies and characteristics using Curtain's and Pesola's descriptions. An overview of recent research focuses on error correction and feedback studies as an example of pedagogical-methodological evolution in this…