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The Changing Face of the Intermediate Language Curriculum 1
Author(s) -
Rava Susan
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.2000.tb00611.x
Subject(s) - curriculum , dilemma , foreign language , appeal , pedagogy , face (sociological concept) , sociology , action (physics) , language education , mathematics education , psychology , political science , social science , physics , epistemology , quantum mechanics , law , philosophy
Foreign language departments in institutions of higher education historically have faced a dilemma in formulating their intermediate curricula: How can they balance the needs of students completing language requirements with the needs of students preparing for advanced language or literature studies? This article calls for instructors and departments to pioneer in changing the intermediate language curriculum. The article represents an appeal for action and lays out guiding principles for change. The article will first examine today's foreign language teaching climate, especially as it affects the intermediate curriculum in higher education. It will then propose and explicate five curriculum guidelines that, when used together, meet the challenges posed by a changing academic environment.