The notion that second language instruction is more effective if begun at an early age is seen as arising from cognitive-nativist and neuropsychological postulates, and from the argument of "affective purity." Each of these positions is reviewed, along with frequently-heard objections to each. A fresh perspective on the issue is thus…

An investigation was undertaken to assess student attitudes toward learning and using French and their reasons for studying it. It was felt that a more thorough investigation of these issues might help to broaden knowledge of some of the non-educational, social consequences of immersion programs. English-speaking students in sixth and eleventh…

Reviews research findings as they relate to the acquisition of reading skills (in the first and second language) by majority-group school children participating in early immersion programs. (Author)

A description of four research strategies which are different from the commonly used between-groups design: the sub-group method, the regression or correlation method, the case study method and the ethnography method. Two studies carried out in Montreal using the regression method are discussed. (AMH)

Exploring the school's possibilities and limits in promoting multiculturalism through bilingualism, the article describes and discusses various bilingual education programs developed in Canada and the U.S.A. in the last decade, giving special consideration to the student populations involved, and discusses the implications of the bilingual…

Existing research related to the suitability of French immersion for disadvantaged and minority group children is reviewed with a view to drawing conclusions and making recommendations. (Author/RM)

A third report on the evaluation of a trilingual school program in French, Hebrew and English being offered in two schools in the Montreal area. The purpose of this evaluation was to continue to monitor the development of the pilot groups in the following areas: French, English, Hebrew and mathematics. (AMH)

Three groups of Grade 7 students participated in a study to examine the personality and language exposure factors associated with learning French as a second language. (CFM)

This issue of the "SLANT" Newsletter for researchers in second language acquisition is highlighted by a survey on research in Canada by Fred Genesee (including a bibliography and reports of research in progress), and a report on "Second Language Acquisition in the Middle East," by Gregory James. The latter article discusses…