The proverbial language of Spanish provides a resource for teaching and testing various aspects of phonetics, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural features of the language. Incorporation of these features into the Spanish curriculum can enrich the classroom experience. Specific suggestions for their use are provided. (Author/MSE)

A recommended class activity is a simple gift exchange. Vocabulary, including a wide range of options, holiday terms, and idioms, is introduced at the beginning of class. Partners are assigned, exchange takes place, and thank-you notes may be written. Student enthusiasm and attention are often by-products. (MSE)

Discusses the national need for graduates with knowledge of a second language and claims the only way that interest and proficiency can be sustained in the language is through new methods. Describes teaching method which includes body language. (Author/BK)

Discusses using structure drills in the foreign language classroom including use of same grammatical structure with slight variation, notional/functional drills, and situational dialogs. Suggests necessity of looking more closely at techniques in order to better understand teaching operation. (Author/BK)

Examines effective ways of utilizing foreign currency from various countries whose official language is Spanish as means to promote conversation and enrich vocabulary in Spanish classes. Use of currency has pedagogical, cultural, and historical aspects. (Author/BK)

Examines directions suggested by studies in communicative competence, cognitive mapping of learning styles, and classroom interaction, seeking integration with a basically audiolingual approach to second language instruction. Suggests alternate ways of conducting classes to help teachers meet students' individual learning needs while still using…

States that a major source of frustration for the second language teacher is the difficulty of bridging the gap between the formal aspects of language and the exploitation of the language in authentic situations. Suggests steps that can be taken to overcome the problem and to meet students' expectations. (MES)

Proposes a model of immersion strategy based on an emphasis on communication and on the use of a great variety of teaching techniques. (AM)

Discusses the use of visual materials in second language instruction to produce verbal utterances. (AM)

Presents a typology of comic strips and suggests some ways of using the comics in the second language classroom. (AM)

Three essays on second-language instruction are presented. One describes a letter exchange between teachers as a means of exploring and understanding classroom and instructional issues; another (in French) describes a teacher's reflective examination of the immersion teaching experience; and a third reports on a classroom study of the…

The role of grammar rules and their relationship to language teaching, learning, and communicating are discussed in an attempt to stimulate language teachers to examine the approach they take in teaching grammar rules. (Contains five references.) (LB)

Six lessons or statements are offered based on experiences teaching school-aged students in English-medium schools in Canada. The lessons refer to judicious use of first language, language teacher connections with the learner's view of the world, second-language learning and curricular content, etc. (Contains seven references.) (LB)

A description of the French language training program used in Canada's Public Service Commission outlines its two components, a core course for lower levels and an independent study package, and other program aspects, including program characteristics, application of the communicative approach, notions as organizing principles, methodology, tests,…

Instructional strategies used by a first-grade French immersion teacher to combine science and language arts instruction are described. They involve developing themes from the science curriculum, integrating content objectives and instructional strategies characteristic of both subject areas, using teacher talk and using discourse incorporation…