13, no. 1 (September 1981): Back Matter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
No Works Cited |
|
Back Matter September 1981
FLES Programs Surveyed by CAL
In October 1980 the Center for Applied Linguistics undertook a survey of foreign language offerings in 5% of all public and private elementary schools (1,237 schools) in eight states: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Of the 453 respondents (33.6%), 83 schools (18%) reported that they teach a foreign language, 52% of the schools indicated that they have never taught a foreign language, and 25% said they have done so in the past but now do not. Approximately 5% of the respondents reported that they are currently considering starting foreign language classes.
According to survey results, the language most often taught is Spanish (48 schools), followed by French (34 schools), German (7 schools), and Latin (6 schools). Five other languages are taught at one school each. While the results cannot necessarily be generalized from the sample group to the entire United States, they can be used to estimate the foreign language activity in these eight states.
Although the survey results seem to indicate only a partial commitment to foreign language study at the elementary school level in these eight states (a total of 18%), on-site visits were encouraging. Existing foreign language programs are successful and have a promising place in the future. The enthusiasm of the parents, students, and administrators for these programs is overwhelming. In many schools, there are long waiting lists for admission into immersion classes.
Language instruction in the 1980s differs from that of the past decade in that programs today emphasize specific goals of proficiency. Also, more programs today are working toward the advanced goal of functional fluency.
For a list of immersion and partial-immersion language programs in U.S. elementary schools or for more information on the FLES project, write Nancy Rhodes at the Center for Applied Linguistics, 3520 Prospect St., NW, Washington, DC 20007.
Some Recent FLES Materials in ERIC *
ED 198 738 Bartos, Marilyn, et al. Language and Man: An Exploratory Program for Grade Six. 1972. 121 pp.
ED 191 279 A Resource Kit of Foreign Language Immersion Materials from the Milwaukee Public Schools. 1980. 100 pp.
ED 191 257 Meyer, Gertrud E. A German Language Continuum: Kindergarten through Grade 5. 1978.36 pp.
ED 191 256 Gradisnik, Anthony, and Helena Anderson. Multi-language School: A Teacher's Guide. 1978.31 pp.
ED 183 463 Beatie, Bruce A. Ethnic Heritage and Language Schools in Greater Cleveland: A Directory. 1979. 138 pp.
ED 176 551 Elementary French Resource Book. 1976.80 pp.
ED 176 550 Elementary French Program Guides. 1976.41 pp.
* These documents may be read on microfiche at an ERIC library collection or ordered from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service, P.O. Box 190, Arlington, VA 22210. (Source: ERlC/CLL News Bulletin , 5, No. 1 [1981])
© 1981 by the Association of Departments of Foreign Languages. All Rights Reserved.
ADFL Bulletin 13, no. 1 (September 1981): Back Matter |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
No Works Cited |
|
