A study investigated the elementary school programs in French as a second language in Louisiana, Quebec (Canada), and New Brunswick (Canada). The objective was to learn about the programs' underlying goals and philosophies, examine the teaching materials used at this level, evaluate the teaching situation, and survey teachers for their perceptions. Data were gathered in individual interviews, classroom observation, and analysis of printed planning and curriculum materials. The research also addressed the teaching of French from a multicultural perspective. The report describes each of the three regional programs separately, and reviews the relevant legislative mandate for elementary school foreign language education; outlines program philosophy, goals, and staffing; describes school or classroom site visits; and briefly discusses other aspects of the programs, including bilingual immersion, welcoming classes (Quebec), program duration (Quebec), intercultural education (Quebec), and the multicultural contexts of each region's programs. A summary section makes some comparisons and additional comments. A 19-item bibliography is included. (MSE)