A state grant to the Department of Romance Languages of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville has allowed development of a proficiency-based curriculum for first- and second-year French and Spanish. Most of the effort to date has been preparation of the syllabus based on specified goals and objectives, or student outcomes, focusing on allowing…

A method of combining second language learning and cultural education at the advanced level is described. In a third-year college Spanish course, the subject of post-Franco Spain is used as the context for developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and also serves as content area in itself. In addition to instructional texts,…

The Northeast Campus of Tarrant County Junior College (TX) experienced a foreign language enrollment increase of 196% between 1973 and 1983, compared to a collegewide enrollment increase of only 91%. The program's success is due largely to the number and variety of curricular offerings. In addition to a 6-course sequence of 3- and 4-hour courses…

Teaching conversation will always pose a great challenge to the foreign language instructor. Even by the third year of language study, the typical time for this skill's development, students have neither the fluency nor the confidence necessary to speak easily. Also, since many are ill at ease in conversing in their native language, getting these…

A handbook designed to acquaint college and university language departments with recent developments in oral proficiency testing gives an overview of the rationale, development, procedures, and implications of oral proficiency evaluation. The discussion is placed in the context of college and university language teaching. An overview section…

The current status of the teaching of oral and aural skills in university French language courses in Great Britain is examined. A review of survey results finds that French teaching at the university level remains much as it was 20 to 30 years ago despite increasing calls for change, and that more serious attempts at change are found in Scottish…

As a result of increasing interest in merging business and the humanities in the college curriculum and the efforts of many German and American organizations working together, a test was developed to measure the German language competence of American students planning to work for American companies trading with or located in West Germany or for…

The ideal foreign language business course would be a cooperative effort between the business school and the foreign language department, prepare students for any of the five proficiency levels in the French Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris test, be designed for the American working in France, and have a balanced international trade…

The description of an international business major in a small liberal arts college outlines the program's development and the degree requirements as they have changed since its inception in 1977. In this process, foreign languages have become an integral part of the program design, reinforcing its value in the minds of faculty advisers as well as…

The instructional manual for an individualized course in introductory college-level Polish presents the first five units and a review section. Each unit contains: (1) a student-instructor grading checklist; (2) a list of primary performance objectives of the unit; (3) student activity schedule integrating text readings, tape assignments, and…

The instructional manual for the third segment of an individualized course in college-level introductory Polish includes outlines for five learning modules (units 11-15 of the course) and a review. Each unit contains: (1) a student-instructor grading checklist; (2) a list of primary performance objectives of the unit; (3) student activity schedule…

The instructional manual for the fourth segment of an individualized course in college-level introductory Polish includes outlines for five learning modules (units 16-20 of the course) and a review. Each unit contains: (1) a student-instructor grading checklist; (2) a list of primary performance objectives of the unit; (3) student activity…

Reports from the California State University, the University of California, and the California community colleges consider their roles in the Pacific Rim region. The Pacific Rim includes all lands with at least a portion of their coastlines fronting on the Pacific Ocean. Of concern are: the need for changes in program offerings and exchange…

Statistics on Canadian universities are presented in 31 tables in both English and French. The data cover: total population and age group 18-24 by province for 1971, 1976, 1981, and 1984; full-time enrollment rates by educational level; graduation rates for secondary schools, community colleges, and universities; enrollments in second language…

Issues that are relevant to promoting the intellectual potential and trained competence of the U.S. population are addressed. Important concerns include the following: preventing retardation among unborn children and young children; providing essential early childhood experiences through programs such as Head Start; and insuring literacy among…