An anthropological study of the American Deaf Culture points out that its members do not merely constitute a subculture and that study of American Sign Language, like many other foreign languages, offers knowledge of not only a natural language but also the culture in which it is used. (CB)

Offers an annotated bibliography featuring citations regarding introductory materials on psycholinguistics, language acquisition, classroom learning, learning styles, communicative language teaching, instructional methods, testing, and curriculum development. (CB)

Presents an overview of activities in field of computer-assisted language learning at the University of Dundee (Scotland). These include: (1) use and testing of a self-instructional teacher's package, (2) development of the computer-controlled tape recorder, (3) cloze-type gapping exercises, and (4) projects aimed at the word processing component…

Describes and evaluates an innovative foreign language program developed at McCluer High School, North St. Louis County, Missouri. (DS)

Reviews factors in modern language programs' declining enrollments, pointing to attendant failures of Americans to communicate on the international level. Describes efforts to counter this trend through interdisciplinary, internationally oriented curricula with a strong foreign language component. (MES)

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…

This book contrasts non-Soviet approaches to language testing and provides definitions from four Soviet language test experts. The role of foreign language teaching, the function of tests, and theoretical problems are discussed, with considerable focus on communicative competence. The book discusses test standardization and classification and…

This article outlines the objectives and curriculum for English instruction for French law students. The curriculum adapts to the characteristics and particular language needs of law students. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

This paper reports on foreign language instruction in the community colleges of Florida. A brief rationale for increasing the importance given to language instruction is followed by a review of the literature concerning the latest classroom and laboratory foreign language techniques such as computers, video taping and analysis, audio tape…

"Sounds of Language" is a background course to provide elementary and secondary school students with a greater understanding of how language works. The course is designed to (1) introduce students to the variations of sounds and structure of many foreign languages, (2) teach study habits that are vital to successful foreign language learning, and…

This volume contains the reports of the task forces assigned to advise the President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies. Task forces were formed in the following areas: Institutional Language Policy, Commonly Taught Languages, Less Commonly Taught Languages, Public Awareness, and Government Relations. The longest report,…