Based on a presentation delivered to the Washington Association of Foreign Language Teachers, March 19, 1971. (DS)

Gives reasons for the failure of FLES programs in most schools, and proposes the home-school language switch program in which English-speaking students are given their kindergarten, first grade, and most of second, third, and fourth grade instruction in a foreign language. (Author/DR)

Describes the second total immersion weekend for students of German sponsored by the New Jersey chapter of the AATG. (EKN)

Summarizes the sociopolitical and pedagogical debates over bilingual and bicultural education. Reviews research findings on the effects of bilingual education, discusses issues concerning public expenditures for bilingual programs and the effects of language on social cohesion and academic failure, and advocates adopting an official national…

Academic preparation in foreign languages has declined since 1965 and many colleges and universities have eliminated competency requirements. Possible solutions to improve foreign language study include requiring a foreign language for all potential teachers, upgrading preparation for foreign language teachers, beginning study early, and…

Describes two options for intensive foreign language study available at Earlham College: intensive study on campus or intensive study on campus leading to an off campus immersion in the language and culture. Gives suggestions for programs of this type. (EKN)

Discusses how evaluation can aid both in countering the current negative perception of the foreign language profession and in returning control of the future direction of foreign language study to the hands of professional educators. (EKN)

Suggests that second language programs are set up to meet the needs of language teachers, rather than learners, which accounts for the widespread failure rate among students learning a second language. (EKN)

Discusses the need to be flexible and restructure foreign language departments and courses to meet student needs. Describes a four-year, second language program with a nonliterary emphasis, designed for nonforeign language majors as one way to do this. (EKN)

A survey designed to collect, analyze, and present information about the position of Spanish for business in the contemporary modern language curriculum showed that business Spanish is a growing field of particular interest to language and business majors. (EKN)

Discusses the importance of paying attention to the psychological and emotional needs of students as learners in a group in order to promote more effective second-language learning. (EKN)

Describes steps taken at the University of Pennsylvania to change foreign language requirement, including studies of student achievement by administering CEEB Language Achievement Tests and FSI Oral Proficiency Interview and the development of performance standards by faculty in order to make requirements proficiency-based. (BK)

Reports on survey of beginning German at colleges and universities in the U.S. Results show grammatical knowledge is most important objective followed by speaking, listening, and reading comprehension, cultural awareness, then writing. Results indicate growth within the profession. (BK)

Akron's elementary language program is designed to prepare students for a systematic study of a foreign language. Akron emphasizes language as a necessity. Learning a foreign language on the elementary level seems to make children more aware of language in general and helps them to improve their skills in English. (JN)