The use of creativity in second-language writing classes is described in which students are asked to pick five unrelated sentences from the textbook and then weave them into a one-page story. Six sample stories are provided. (LB)

The Quincentennial produced many resources in several media that can be incorporated into foreign language pedagogy at all levels. This article identifies sources in the following categories: movies and videos; coffee table books; source books and textbooks; magazines, journals and articles; and games. (Author/LB)

Presents a lesson plan on the San Antonio River missions. Suggests that students will learn about the role of Spanish missions in the history of the Southwest, the psychological and cultural factors that led Indians to accept mission life, and Spanish contributions to agriculture through irrigation systems. Includes student readings, maps, and…

These elementary school lessons plans in English and Spanish are described to offer assistance in basic study skills on California history/social studies using multilingual, primary source documents, such as photos, maps, newspaper articles, and pictures, and copies of official documents for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students. Four basic…

This final report describes a project in which videotapes of secondary school students performing linguistic and communicative tasks at various levels of French and Spanish instruction were produced. The videotapes are intended to illustrate levels of foreign language acquisition to language teachers. High achieving students were filmed after 2,…

A lesson in the traditional music and dance of Panama and Puerto Rico focuses on the significant African influence in Hispanic culture. The lesson describes a dance, the instruments used, and the costumes worn, and explains the customs surrounding its performance. Entirely in Spanish with side glosses in English, the lesson is followed by…

The display of Spanish and English communicative competence of two Hispanic children is explored in a study analyzing directive speech acts (orders, requests, suggestions, hints). The linguistic, sociolinguistic, and strategic resources of the Mexican-American children, aged 4-1/2 to 6 years, are examined qualitatively in data taken from…

This article presents a survey of textbooks for second-year college Spanish courses published in the last ten years. (CFM)

"El Interprete," a communicative activity designed for third- or fourth-semester Spanish language students, promotes communicative competence through: (1) lowering stress; (2) having students work in pairs; and (3) helping students concentrate on the transmission of real messages. These activities are appended with suggestions for creating,…

Suggests appropriate kinds of texts and ways foreign language teachers can lead students through readings that build understanding of the target culture. Examples presented regarding Spanish are applicable to other beginning language courses. (Author/CB)

This booklet outlines approaches to adult basic education Spanish literacy. It includes the following: explanatory note for English (non-Spanish) readers; general goals of a Spanish language literacy (SLL) program in Holyoke, Massachusetts; checklists; learning objectives for reading and writing; SLL lesson plan guide; outline for SLL curriculum…

Describes the 16-week intensive French and Spanish program at Cabrillo College. (EKN)

A one-week Elderhostel course in survival Spanish focused on introducing students to the basic sound system and enough basic structure and vocabulary items to enjoy travel. Experiences with material selection and student receptiveness are outlined. (MSE)

Explores special problems posed by idiomatic expressions for learners and teachers of second languages stressing need to integrate idioms into teaching. Presents program providing a classification of idiomatic expressions based on contrastive analysis of Spanish and English. (BK)

Consistent areas of difficulty for Navajo and Chicano speakers learning English as a second language are summarized. Exercises to correct these specific problems are cited, using a contrastive approach. (HTH)