The first section of this paper considers what is understood by evaluation in the field of project design for English language teaching (ELT). Published accounts of ELT projects are examined for their policy on evaluation and a list of dominant themes in project evaluation is drawn up. The second section reviews theoretical issues involved in…

This digest highlights the planning phase of developing and implementing middle school foreign language programs, focusing particular attention on program types and criteria for selecting an appropriate program. Specific issues addressed include the following: (1) Which language or languages should be taught? (2) At what grade level should foreign…

Two-way language development programs are full-time programs that use two languages, one of which is English, for the purpose of instruction. Ideally, these programs are composed of elementary or secondary students half of whom are native speakers of English and the other half of whom are native speakers of the other language of instruction.…

The characteristics of Canadian language immersion, bilingual education, and modified immersion programs are described, and their characteristics are compared with research findings on the characteristics of effective dual language programs. The information provided is intended to assist policymakers, educators, and community leaders in making…

A collection of papers on the training of English teachers includes: an introduction (Gillian Marsh); "The Use of Video in EFL Teacher Training" (Michael J. Wallace); "Designing a Micro-Teaching Programme in the Third World" (Donard Britten, Falla Sow); "Teacher Training at the Colchester English Study Centre" (Jonathan Seath); "The Training of…

Relates and compares two successful approaches to the teaching of the Indonesian language and culture at two high schools in Canberra, Australia. Describes the organizational differences between the two schools; the design, structure, method and implementation of the two programs; and the advantages and disadvantages of both. (SED)

Explains the techniques and benefits of using a language laboratory which is arranged so that each of several groups can be programed and monitored individually from the console when teaching languages for specific purposes to groups of mixed-ability adults. (Author/MBR)

Following a preliminary experience in a low-tech environment for distance language learning and teaching, two challenges were identified in the design of university language courses: the necessity to build sufficient flexibility into materials to cater to learners' styles, interests, and skill levels, and a need to design materials that would…

This position statement was developed by members of the National Council of State Supervisors of Foreign Languages to assist school districts as they develop middle school foreign language programs. (JL)

This report describes the use of the natural approach to second language instruction to improve the teacher training program at Purdue University (Indiana). First, the report discusses the establishment of a permanent, non-tenure-track position of Assistant Director for Beginning Levels of Spanish. Second, focus is on the improvement of the…

A study of non-Hispanic attitudes about bilingual education had two goals: (1) to apply symbolic politics theory to bilingual education and (2) to test the theory's assumption that the symbolic meaning of an attitude object determines which symbolic predisposition it evokes. A national sample of 1,170 non-Hispanics were surveyed via telephone…

Guidelines for teaching English as a second language (ESL) are directed at teachers and teacher trainees. With an emphasis on teaching ESL quickly and efficiently to adults, the six chapters address teaching ESL to competencies, teaching ESL to nonliterate adults, vocational ESL, ESL instruction in the workplace, teaching ESL in the multilevel…

A teacher describes the development of and preparation for a "French Day" for secondary school students. The event focused on modern technological development and involved student projects such as videos, writing, computer activities, and reading sessions. (CB)

Discusses the four main tasks involved in designing an appropriate ESP program: (1) preliminary survey, (2) data collection, (3) selection of situations and writing objectives in behavioral terms, (4) syllabus design. Concentrates on the first two, but does give some examples of the last two. (EKN)

Content-based instruction, a communicative approach to language teaching, is defined as a curriculum (1) that is based on subject matter, (2) uses authentic materials, (3) promotes the learning of new information, and (4) considers specific student needs. The Spanish and Russian content-area programs at the Foreign Service Institute are described…