Outlines empirical studies of the effects of "book floods" on elementary school students' acquisition of a second language, indicating that exposure to an extensive range of high-interest illustrated story books encourages children to read and learn the target language more quickly, as well as develop positive attitudes toward books. (38…

Combines Marxist notions of ideology with the theory of reader response to reveal the subjectivity of reading, in general. Foreign language reading, in particular, not only involves the understanding of text but the cultural and literary aspects of the target language as well. (CB)

Suggests guidelines for administrators regarding ways in which technology can be used to benefit language learners. The recommendations cover level of engagement; facilities; access to materials; development support staff; colleague networking; collegiate coordination and support; released time for faculty; student assistance; collaboration with…

Describes a project that consisted of a school and a community working together to compile a "trictionary," a Chinese, Spanish, and English dictionary. (DF)

Describes a course that uses translation of literary French into English to heighten students' awareness of the two languages and of literary composition. (AM)

A survey-interview exercise is described as it evolved through English-as-a-second-language students' efforts to develop better spoken language skills. The exercise provided students with experience in using spoken English in interaction, learning first-hand about local ideas and attitudes, and reflecting on and discussing the experience in the…

Describes the activities and objectives of an intensive summer institute on language awareness for elementary school teachers. Evaluation of the institute included home school visits and found two benefits of the institute: (1) increased awareness and tolerance for language and cultural differences, and (2) significant practical applications of…

Courses in business Italian have an important place in the traditional foreign language curriculum because they expose students to broader cultural areas in which they can exercise their foreign language skills. Guidelines for course development and some classroom activities are described. (CB)

Recommends talking to children to help them develop language skills. Identifies daily routines (mealtime, bath time, dressing, play) as ideal opportunities to engage in parallel talk, describing out loud what the child is seeing, hearing, or thinking during the activity and suggests self-talk as parents perform routine actions around the home.…

First and second grade public school teachers were trained through interactive video-conferencing to implement "Language Enrichment," an Orton-Gillingham-based literacy instruction. The effectiveness of the linguistically informed training was demonstrated by documenting the longitudinal third grade reading comprehension achievement of…

Describes the participation of five Pennsylvania colleges in a summer study program at the Akademie Neiderberg in Bonn, West Germany. The program offers an integrated approach to language instruction and cultural studies that is tailored to fit the specific needs and preparation of its participants. (CB)

Two learning activities employing pair work, or cooperative learning between two students studying the other's native language as a second language, are described. The activities allow students to compare how their languages function in real-life situations and to acquire the second language appropriate to these situations. (CB)

Activities which focus on form and communicative outcome are suggested for developing accuracy and fluency in second language students. Examples of such activities (with focus on the English as a second language learner) that vary the circumstances of communication in the classroom are presented. (Author/CB)

Describes how a ladybug can be used to teach entomology, natural selection, comparative anatomy, food chains and symbiotic relationships. Focuses on a picturebook entitled "The Grouchy Ladybug" (Eric Carle). Discusses enrichment activities in science, language, social studies, art, and music. (CW)

Improving Foreign Language Education at Community Colleges, a project from the American Association of Community Colleges (Washington, D.C.), is described in this report as an effort to advance the quality and extent of foreign language education at community colleges across the nation. The project provides a combination of resources for selected…