Language Learning in Schools.

Experimentation in the field of foreign language teaching and learning is underway in several countries under the auspices of the Council of Europe. A review of projects shows that many ways of introducing the communicative approach to language teaching have been tried. Experts from the Council for Cultural Cooperation visited member European countries in the late 1970s to accomplish the following objectives: (1) to talk with ministerial authorities on educational matters, (2) to have contact with the national project leaders and participants, and (3) to visit classrooms and observe learning activities. These visits provided the basis for an overview of developments and a summary of problems. Some of the problems involved the effort to strike a balance between the communicative model and the requirements of existing syllabi, the lack of suitable materials, and a feeling on the part of teachers that they do not have the active support of administrators. A meeting of project leaders recommended the formation of a group to deal with materials development, to prepare a study on evaluation and assessment, and to provide guidelines for the composition of intermediate texts. A more positive attitude toward teaching and learning foreign languages marks the efforts of the Council at the present time. (AMH)