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The fact that a relatively large segment of the secondary school population chooses to learn a second language, for reasons other than entrance requirements, has implications for foreign language curriculum planners. As part of an initial step in planning new syllabi, the Curriculum Advisory Committee of the New York State Education Department identified the following needs: (1) more options in terms of language goals; (2) greater flexibility in methodology; (3) a cultural component; (4) better evaluation techniques; (5) practical suggestions for handling instructional materials; and (6) more student-centered and individualized instruction. A two-part syllabus is planned; the first part will be a general syllabus applicable to all language teachers and administrators, and the second will be a supplement consisting of solutions to problems in specific languages. The general syllabus will have 7 chapters concerning: (1) philosophy; (2) motivational and promotional techniques; (3) the modern foreign language program; (4) goal-attainment strategies; (5) materials and equipment; (6) extending the classroom; and (7) professional growth. Chapter 3 will be the focal point and will describe the Committee's program, which involves a State Diploma Credit strand and a Local Credit Strand, both of which will allow schools to offer options for concentrating on one, several, or all of the four language skills. Data on foreign language enrollments in New York's public secondary schools in 1974-75 are included. (AM)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert