This regional dossier aims to provide a concise description of the European minority language, Italian in Switzerland, in education. Aspects that are addressed include features of the education system, recent educational policies, main actors, legal arrangements and support structures, as well as quantitative aspects such as the number of schools,…

This volume offers a comprehensive, up-to-date, empirical and methodological view over the new scenarios and environments for language teaching and learning recently emerged (e.g. blended learning, e-learning, ubiquitous learning, social learning, autonomous learning or lifelong learning), and also over some of the new approaches to language…

A reader on Italians in Rhode Island, which provides ethnic material for Italian language courses at level three of high school or at third semester of college, is presented. Contents are as follows: a history of the Italians in Rhode Island; a profile of the lives of some of the prominent members of the Italian community; and an anthology of…

Argues that the similarities between Italian and French are not as substantial as they seem and that they don't necessarily facilitate the language-learning process. The types of errors made by Italians learning French are analyzed. (CFM)

Enrollment trends in Italian courses at the college and secondary level are presented. The largest Italian department is at Rutgers College in New Brunswick. The history of this program is presented. (SW)

A large number of exercises based on film advertisements, which are reproduced in the article, and suggestions for using them. The exercises include reading comprehension, vocabulary, translation and reinforcement activities. Examples are given in English, French and Italian. Suggestions for introducing students to cultural differences are also…

Describes a theatrical workshop developed to teach Italian to third-year students. The aim of the course was to increase students' understanding of Italian language and culture and to enhance their communicative skills and appreciation of literary texts. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the decline in the use of literature in foreign language instruction at the secondary level, despite the role literature plays in college level instruction. Describes a project in an Italian studies program that introduced units based on a number of canonical texts. (Author/VWL)

Developed as part of an ethnic heritage studies program, this historical narrative of Italian Americans can enhance cultural awareness. This document presents the story of Italians beginning with cultural roots in Italy and their subsequent emigration to the United States, including to South Bend, Indiana. Four major areas are explored. An account…

Discusses the use of ethnic literature in the classroom. States that ethnic novelists provide insight into the conditions of their people that the historian would find difficult to document and discuss. Provides a list of books on the following ethnic groups: Afro-Americans, Jews, Norwegians, Italians, Slavs, Puerto Ricans, Chinese, and Irish.…

A course in Italian literature is outlined for the advanced high-school and the third-year college level, using a thematic approach. The choice of theme in this case is the city, specifically Rome. (AM)

A series of class exercises for Italian language instruction based on a song, "La Vita Mia" by Amedeo Minghi, is presented. The song was selected because of its rich literary content and appealing melody. Objectives, in-class activities, and homework assignments are outlined. In them, students listen to the song, discuss the relationship…

Italian-Americans such as industrialist Lee Iacocca, architect Robert Venturi, film-maker Brian De Palma, and writer Gay Talese have contributed to the emergence of ethnic groups as a major force in the cultural and business life of the United States. What is not widely appreciated, however, is the cultural, religious, craft, and family base which…

Selected papers that address theoretical and practical training of the modern language teacher and language teaching experiments in various countries are presented. Some of the articles included are the following: "Les problemes de la formation linguistique et pedagogique des professeurs de francais en Afrique Subsaharienne" (The…

The documents listed in this annotated bibliography on programmed instruction in foreign languages were announced in the monthly ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) publication "Research in Education" during the period from 1967 through March 1971. The selection, which is selective rather than comprehensive, comprises reports on…