ERIC Number: ED341269
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1990-Sep
Pages: 40
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Issues in Foreign Language and Second Language Education.
Lambert, Wallace E.
Distinctions are made between foreign language (FL) and second language (SL) teaching and learning. It is suggested that several major issues emerging in FL and SL education in the United States must be considered before substantive improvements can be made in the FL or SL competence of both native English speakers and those whose native language is other than English. The issues to be resolved include the following: (1) FL and SL professionals have substantially different aims, orientations, and training and their offerings are directed to different populations of users; (2) there is a more serious demand by those being educated for higher levels of competence in foreign language and second languages than usually occurs in school-based education programs; and (3) there are time constraints, since no extra time can be directed to language education if it curtails the comprehensive education in math, sciences, humanities, and social sciences needed in today's technical and international world markets. The integration of the talents of both FL and SL professionals and educational approaches is advocated. It is suggested that two-way bilingual immersion education programs can simultaneously enhance the language competency of both native and non-native English students without shortchanging them on basic educational needs. Contains 72 references. (LB)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: In: Proceedings of the Research Symposium on Limited English Proficient Students' Issues (1st, Washington, DC, September 10-12, 1990); see FL 020 030.