Presents an overview of the language teaching situation in Canada's universities, and makes suggestions for its improvement. (AM)

Identifies 60 heritage/international language documents available from (or being developed by) provincial ministries of education in Canada (except the two territories and Quebec). It lists, by province, documents related to languages other than English, French, or Native languages, and provides the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of…

Discusses the dichotomy between foreign language and literature instruction, arguing that the objectives of the language curriculum are at odds with those of the literature curriculum; many students are not proficient enough to cope with many of the belles lettres texts without additional linguistic support; and students deserve linguistic support…

Discusses the emphasis that many American universities place on multicultural and international education, focusing on how this emphasis has affected German language and literature departments. Argues that greater classroom emphasis needs to be placed on non-canonical texts, writers, and modes of communication. (15 references) (MDM)

Discusses the role of assessment in determining whether the investment in an early start in a foreign language has been worthwhile, suggesting that it is important for reasons, such as feedback to parents and the public, informing national policy development, and school self evaluation. Describes an independent evaluation of modern languages in…

Outlines the procedures used to identify, analyze, and organize components of an American Sign Language curriculum, based on processes used to develop second-language curricula. Students are encouraged to develop communicative competence and cultural awareness in a classroom environment, allowing for natural language learning. (CB)

Considers several challenges evolving in the field of foreign language instruction, including unity of foreign language teachers, teaching objectives, the importance of listening comprehension, compulsory foreign language education, language tests, speech skills, and curriculum. (CB)

Presents a well-defined, goal-responsive curriculum model, derived from the concepts of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, which introduces several foreign languages to middle-grade students to begin to construct a foundation for later proficiency in a foreign language and to instill greater cultural sensitivity.…

Questions the prevalent attitude of English as a second language teachers regarding the teaching of writing skills. Weaknesses in syllabi and teaching strategies are cited, indicating deficiencies in the teaching of discourse analysis--the manipulation of words, structures, and ideas--all skills necessary for the development and production of a…

Presents some suggestions for improving and expanding present curriculum frameworks for teaching English to deaf students. Of major importance to the deaf student is an understanding of the rationale for learning the language in the first place. In addition, a knowledge of the students' needs is stressed, in relation to understanding those…

Describes "Imitation Exercise," which has been developed to help beginning language learners cope with hearing and recognizing a collection of sounds they are unfamiliar with. By conducting the exercise entirely in the students' native languages, they are not threatened, and in addition, they are allowed to listen to sounds in a familiar,…

The use of the Language Background Questionnaire is analyzed, and the following criticisms are offered: (1) the varying nature and range of questions used, (2) the inclusion of indirect language background questions, and (3) previous methods of categorization of individuals into groups using language background scores. (SL)

College undergraduates and upper-level high school students are teaching Spanish, under the supervision of their foreign language teachers. The program is mutually beneficial, providing "hands on" teaching experience for the college students, while at the same time, providing an enjoyable and different learning environment for the…

Asserts that to revitalize foreign language study we need: (1) a reevaluation of the setting in which foreign language programs exist; (2) uniform standards for initial student placement in foreign language programs; and (3) continual updating by teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors of the objectives, methodology, and content of the…

Outlines a second language program that, over a period of three years, exposes the student to three languages and several teachers and stresses communicative competence. (AM)