To establish preliminary baselines in terms of instruction time and the teaching methodology used, the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview was administered as a final exam to all University of Michigan first- through fourth-semester German students. After one and also after three semesters, the majority of students were Intermediate Mid; after four…

Although most colleges appear to offer English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses as no-credit, remedial courses, such classes are not really remedial in nature. Offering credit for ESL classes could increase student motivation and would not devalue or lower academic standards. (CB)

A professionally oriented language course at the University of New South Wales (Australia) is described that is designed for students who have studied German in high school and wish to continue studying it to enhance their employment prospects. Both linguistic proficiency and German business culture are emphasized. (LB)

Different approaches to the question of how to invite broader participation by minorities in language study are discussed. It is noted that language study must be connected to job opportunity, build on minority students' affinity with other cultures, teach language as a living tool, and encourage mentor-protege relations. (Contains four…

Examines the implications for foreign language and literature teachers and teacher training programs of three recent major reports on teaching, highlighting the relevance of three centrally important themes: improved subject matter preparation; setting of standards; and minority recruitment. (10 references) (CB)

An overview of the place of modern Chinese literature in Western academic studies precedes suggestions about new texts to add to the established body of Chinese literature typically studied to expand understanding of the many facets of Chinese culture. (18 references) (CB)

Describes the second-year French program at the University of California, Berkeley, which attempts to bridge the gap between intermediate language courses and upper-division writing courses by incorporating such strategies as semantic mapping to promote higher-level thinking, help students to organize their writing, and foster the development of…

Focuses on the role of the foreign-language department chair at American institutions of higher education. The article encourages foreign-language chairs to assume their roles of fund-raiser, program developer, and entrepreneur and to view them as a blessing in disguise. (nine references) (CK)

Discusses a National Foreign Language Center survey of 240 randomly-selected higher-education Spanish programs on the availability and the nature of programming for heritage speakers of Spanish. The survey queried the need for such programming and challenges to meeting needs of heritage learners. Results are discussed. (Author/VWL)

Gives an account of the challenges, obstacles, and successes involved in the process of merging an English and a foreign language department at Mansfield University n Pennsylvania. (Author/VWL)

Asserts that students have high technological expectations which necessitate a reevaluation of teaching methodologies and a reinvention of the classroom. Explores some of the realities and hype surrounding the reason for and existence of technology in the college foreign language classroom. Focuses on the wiring of classrooms for technology,…

Investigated the effects of written input enhancement and text length on college students' second-language comprehension and intake. First-year Spanish students were exposed to one of four conditions with enhanced and non-enhanced short and long text. Exposing students to short authentic reading materials facilitated reading comprehension but not…

Seeks to guide language program coordinators in the creation of a teaching assistant (TA) handbook on logistics and administrative duties in second and foreign language programs at the university level. (Author/VWL)

This article describes the international program at Missouri Southern, which began 10 years ago and has expanded in both the number of students and faculty participating, and in the places to go for foreign study. The program affects students two ways, according to university president Julio Leon. While some students do foreign study as part of…

The foreign language teaching situation in community colleges is discussed. Foreign language teaching in community colleges tends to be demanding due to the limited curriculum of such institutions, limited enrollment in foreign language courses, and the heterogeneity of the student population in terms of career goals, educational preparation, and…