This is a time of great change, vulnerability and possibility for the Irish language and for Irish-medium education. Research shows the language in serious decline in the Gaeltacht; areas of Ireland designated as being predominantly Irish speaking. There are also inconsistent approaches at the policy level in addition to an ambiguous attitude to…

Australian teachers are required to teach students from diverse cultures, and preservice teachers are reported to feel culturally unprepared. The Australian Government's New Colombo Plan aims to increase pre-service teachers' cultural competency by providing funding for cultural and educational experiences in the Asian-Pacific region. This paper…

This paper examines and discusses the profiles of applicants and entrants to the DGO (Dioplóma Gairmiúil san Oideachas) initial teacher education programme between 2000 and 2011. The DGO is the only initial teacher education programme in Ireland that is specifically designated to prepare student teachers for the second-level Irish-medium (SLIM)…

The Huntsville (Alabama) City Schools conduct annual Spanish-, French-, and German-language immersion workshops that move the classroom to a home or church, replace the teacher with native speakers, and extend the 55-minute period to 24 hours. (Author/JM)

Describes the type of team staffing used in the Virginia Tech foreign language camps and the way in which the staff is rewarded. The staff is composed of a high school teacher, a native speaker, and a junior counselor. Describes how the teams function during precamp planning and during the camping week. (SED)

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

A study examined the effects of a new Hong Kong policy requiring Chinese as the language of instruction on secondary students' learning of science. Science achievement test scores at 100 secondary schools indicate that previous use of English to teach science may have hampered students' ability to grasp material due to the high-level thinking…

Overviews different kinds of language immersion programs and issues involved in their successful implementation. The Australian experience with such programs is highlighted, focusing on particular problems posed by resistance to language studies, perceived elitism, teacher shortages, immersion teacher training, student selection, immersion…

A successful summer immersion experience for high school German students is described, with focus on the development, philosophy, and structure of the language academy. Theoretical and practical information is given on student/staff selection, participant grouping, curriculum development, activity planning, facility preparation, and enforcement of…

Compared summaries produced by French as a first and second language secondary school students, according to ten variables evaluating the written texts. Statistical analyses, analysis of variance, t-tests, and correlation analysis of variable exploring both the language and the content of the summaries. Findings suggest that French as a second…

Argues that with the recent influx of so many mainstreamed new Canadian students with insufficient fluency in English there is a need to rethink policies on access to specialized English instruction and about their relationship to high school English teaching. (HOD)

A discussion of teacher talk, particularly in the context of language immersion, looks at its nature, content, and form. A study reported here indicates the importance of discourse modification by the teacher and points up the need for further research on the effects of teacher talk on second-language learning. (Contains 23 references.)…

Overviews recent developments in immersion language programs in Australia, contrasting the Australian experience with that of other countries. Findings indicate that the most promising developments at the tertiary level are teacher education programs with content-based instruction in the target language and an emerging focus on combining intensive…

Examines the role of second-language issues as a barrier to adequate science education for underrepresented groups in science and engineering. Also explores how current educational reform initiatives provide an opportunity for widespread change in how English-language learners (ELL) learn science. Examines several model projects that attempt to…

Describes how community resources for French have been identified and utilized in Louisville, Kentucky, over a 10-year period. Those resources include the university, public libraries, art museums, planetariums, and local theatre. Organizations such as the Alliance Francaise, Amicale Francaise, and historical societies have provided additional…