The aim of the conference discussed in this report was to make a critical appraisal of the achievements of language teaching in the polytechnics and similar institutions, and to attempt to suggest lines for future development. All speakers were encouraged to be critical and provocative in order to stimulate conference discussions on how language…

The teaching of Spanish in American schools and colleges to native speakers of Spanish has its origin in two main factors: the need for acceptance by the teaching profession of maintenance and development of the Spanish spoken natively in the United States, and the need for cultural determination by the nation's native Spanish speakers. In light…

The "waystage" objective for adult modern language learning in the European unit/credit system is described. Waystage is an intermediary objective below "threshold level," the latter stage being the minimum proficiency level likely to be required to function adequately in temporary contacts with foreign language speakers in…

The minicourse in foreign language teaching is an outgrowth of the diversified curriculum that is based on the personal-benefit theory. The importance of the individual and the need for a differentiated program designed to foster individual interests and maximize individual potential is stressed in this theory. The rapid growth of alternative…

A project was undertaken for the promotion of unit/credit systems for language learning by adults. Project aims were to: (1) show that anaylsis or identification of language needs ought to be an intergral part of the unit/credit language learning processes; (2) show that all parts of the system are interdependent, including analysis of resources…

A survey is presented of modern language teaching in Great Britain since the establishment of their Modern Language Association in 1893, with particular emphasis on developments during the past 20 years. The following topics are addressed: the influence of linguistic research on methodology, the situation in higher education and the schools,…

The purpose of this study was to develop a third-year elementary French curriculum which integrated the oral-aural-visual and individualized approaches to language learning. The curriculum was based on a language arts approach which incorporated listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. It was designed for use: (1) with students of average…

This is a report in outline form of the status of teaching English literature in Austria. The schools syllabus prescribes that English literature should be taught after students have studied English for four years, that is, in the 5th form. The short story is the usual prose form selected. In the 5th and 6th forms, one literary work is studied in…

Representative programs and new approaches to foreign language education in the elementary school (grades K-8) are identified. Included is a review of foreign languages in emerging adolescent education, or programs for students in grades 5-8 or 6-8 that are housed in a middle or junior high school. A discussion is presented of major curriculum…

This is a summary in outline form of the English literature teaching situation in Pakistan. As a legacy of British rule, officially all instruction is in English, but a great deal is carried on in Urdu or provincial languages. Attachment to English language and literature is still strong among the educated elite. This contrasts with the attitudes…

This is a summary in outline form of the English literature teaching situation in Sri Lanka. Pupils may begin literature in English in grade 10 when they are about 15. All undergraduates study some English to gain English reading ability. Most of them value the ability to speak and write English, though present facilities make it difficult to…

This paper examines some experimental evidence relating to the influence of second language learning on native language performance, including results from elementary school Latin programs, research on bilingualism and intellect, and elementary school programs in modern languages. Some studies of Latin FLES programs show that specially designed…

This is a summary in outline form of the English language teaching situation in Cameroon. Cameroon is officially a French/English bilingual state but English at present plays the minor part. There are five francophone and two anglophone provinces with populations of five million and one and a half million respectively. In the anglophone provinces…

A survey was carried out at the request of the London, Ontario, Board of Education in order to assess the attitudes of the London community toward the public school system French program. Thirteen groups were identified whose attitudes and opinions concerning French programming were to be sampled. Each group received one of the five forms of the…

This study was prepared to provide a convenient compendium of data for those participating in a conference on "Russian and Soviet Studies in the United States" held at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Princeton, New Jersey, in May, 1972. The purpose of the conference and of the study was to assess the state of teaching and research…