Discusses seven books on vocabulary instruction in second language classrooms: (1) "Working With Words" (Gairns and Redman); (2) "Crossword Puzzles for Beginners" (Mollica); (3) "Vocabulary Posters" (Mollica); (4) "Vocabulary" (Morgan and Rinvolucri); (5) "Teaching and Learning Vocabulary"…

The politicalization of curricular innovation in a state public school district charged with the implementation of Arizona's proposed State Board Rule of 1989 for introducing elementary foreign language in grades 1-8 is discussed. The district's use of existing resources, pilot year feedback, staff development program, and external partnerships is…

Describes how the author transformed her teaching of foreign language to middle school students through her use of authentic German children's picture books. Discusses criteria for choosing picture books for foreign language classrooms and argues that these books provide students with a much richer learning experience of both language and culture.…

Describes the experiences of one Connecticut school district where, since the 1950s, all students have studied a foreign language beginning in elementary school. Discusses the importance of a long sequence of study, obstacles to and essential elements for success, the need for community support, and the benefits of parents as advocates. (SM)

To investigate differences in achievement in foreign language listening comprehension, 61 students in a Foreign Language in an Elementary School (FLES) program were studied during instruction using video clips from authentic Chinese TV broadcasts in two advance organizer conditions. The first type of advance organizer consisted of written words…

The purpose of this manual, which accompanies a video program, is to provide general background information for foreign language teachers who are, or soon will be, teaching in total, partial, or two-way immersion classrooms. Part of a series of video programs, this manual highlights techniques, strategies, and special considerations that immersion…

This digest provides useful information on starting an elementary school foreign language (FLES) program. Individual sections address the following: (1) cautions in planning a FLES program; (2) initiating the planning process; (3) designing the program, with special attention given to scheduling and language choice; (4) programs that lead to high…

A discussion of the biological and developmental issues in early second language learning first looks at psycholinguistic research on brain growth patterns and the relationship of first and second language learning. Focus is on three phenomena observed in the self-organization of living systems: selection of input data; organization of specialized…

Immersion is defined as a method of foreign language instruction in which the regular school curriculum is taught through the medium of the language. The foreign language is the vehicle for content instruction; it is not the subject of instruction. Different questions pertaining to the following subjects are answered: (1) long-range goals of a…

This paper discusses one English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher's attempts to use cuisenaire rods as a language learning tool. Cuisenaire rods (sometimes called algebricks) vary in size from 1 x 1 x 10 centimeter sticks to 1 x 1 x 1 centimeter cubes, with each of the 10 sizes a different color. Although such rods have been used to teach…

A discussion of FLES (foreign language in the elementary school, including introductory, exploratory, or immersion) looks at the challenges that need to be identified and met for successful planning and implementation. The role and importance of FLES in the 1990s is briefly reviewed, FLES program types are outlined, and FLES is examined in greater…

The increases in the number and level of foreign language requirements in school systems throughout the country are explained, and the problems and concerns that stem from these changes are described. Solutions to these problems are enumerated, including: (1) reducing class size; (2) increasing foreign language entrance requirements for both…

Classical studies have value for all students and particular benefits for gifted students at all educational levels. A gradual retrenchment of formal, philological classical studies in elementary and secondary schools and universities has taken place in the last four decades. Once traditional Latin and Greek were dropped, however, many colleges…

This booklet is designed for eleven-to-fifteen year old students who are in, or who have just completed, a French immersion program. It addresses two concerns of students and their parents: (1) how well students are achieving in French, in English, in other subjects, and in their overall intellectual development; and (2) what possibilities exist…