Teachers are encouraged to participate personally in the curriculum development process by drawing on experience and consulting with colleagues in creating curricula specifically for their classes. The underlying concept and one practical strategy are outlined. Dialectic processes of curriculum development are viewed as conducive to spontaneous…

A discussion of past and future research on immersion instruction focuses on the following areas: product variables, teaching and learning processes, and teacher education. It is found that the "product" emphasis of research in the 1980s has shifted to encompass administrative, instructional, testing, and program design issues. (91 references)…

A long-term inservice project, involving collaboration among teachers, consultants, and a researcher and resulting in development of materials for a core French curriculum, is described. The features of cooperation and extended duration are seen as contributing to the project's success. (Author/MSE)

Proposed and existing models of research and professional development through which language faculty can participate in the reward structure are surveyed and evaluated for their applicability to the small multilingual, primarily baccalaureate department. All existing models are found to be burdened by political drawbacks, and a new model is…

Practical ideas for classroom management, environment, and communication to make the first year of French teaching easier and more effective are provided for new teachers. Hints address classroom and instructional organization, student and teacher speech, grouping, and developing student motivation. (MSE)

The use of technology in the language classroom is chronicled from early phonograph use through the emergence of the language laboratory, and computer technology. The role of appropriate materials and the importance of interaction and communication, even with technological aids, are stressed. (21 references) (Author/MSE)

An interview with Wilga Rivers focuses on advances in language teaching over the last 50 years, changing student needs and teaching methods, the differential success of teaching methods, program design, student immersion, teacher training, and technological advancement in relation to language teaching. (MSE)

Second-language teaching styles are defined as specific configurations of student and teacher behaviors during the teaching episode that are further described by certain dimensions of teaching. Teaching styles are seen as useful conceptual tools, and their nature and complexity are considered at three levels: foundation, structure, and…

A number of scales used for classroom observation of student teachers of French are synthesized and comments made by their users are discussed. Two observation scales are proposed. (Author/MSE)

An observation technique is presented that is designed to give teachers and future teachers a means of furthering their own training in teaching second languages. This technique is based on an approach that links theory and practice with an emancipatory process and complements already available observation schemes. (67 references) (Author/MSE)

Recent research on effective teaching and the literature on the motivation of learning provide the second-language teacher with specific strategies to help reduce negative student attitudes toward the language course. These strategies are presented and discussed. (42 references) (Author/MSE)

A Manitoba program of linguistic improvement for French teachers is described. In the program, teachers focus on communicative skills, the reflection on the language's resources and constraints, varied activities, and activities that can be readily adapted for their own classrooms. (MSE)

Proposes a model for second language educators who are seeking a more communicative approach to second language instruction. A process for selection and ordering of content is outlined, and factors rendering an activity more communicative are discussed. (Author/MSE)

A study of faculties of education in Canadian universities shows that the quality of French teacher training needs improvement and may run the risk of further deterioration. The tremendous student increase in French-as-a-Second-Language programs is already causing a gradual but serious shortage of French teachers. (Author/MSE)

The establishment of a Canadian national assessment center with the authority to develop, administer, and evaluate French second language teachers' competencies, and to issue a national certification over and above the provincial certification is proposed. It is argued that French second language teacher certification is now a national issue and…