I have read the article written by Victoriya (see above). I would say that Victoriya makes some very good points about the approaches to teaching a foreign language. It is very necessary to have active student participation and involvement in the oral pronunciation and conversational skills. There must be aural comprehension and oral proficiency. This can happen only if there is much practice in both listening and speaking. Students need to be involved in games, role-playing, skits, jazz chants, dictation, rhymes, music (especially good for pronunciation), small group work, oral presentations, etc.. Any of these techniques can be adapted to all age levels and to all vocabulary and topics being taught.
     Certainly, there is the need for good textbooks, but these should be used only as resources that the teacher can build on to create ideas for getting the students actively involved in the language learning process.
     Yes, school systems and teachers need to have the freedom to choose the best materials and to try new and innovative methods of teaching. Educators are the ones who can make the best decisions about these matters; certainly not book publishing companies or government officials.
     In the US there is a National Education Administration that sets certain guidelines for education throughout the nation, but each state has an education bureau, then each county in each state has a school board of directors, then some cities have their own school systems. Most of the guidelines and decisions are made at the state and local levels. Local school officials and teachers (as well as parents) have a large degree of input about educational decisions in their area. Therefore, they can help make decisions about what is appropriate for their own school population, because there is much variation from rural areas, towns and big cities and one system is not suitable for everyone.
     We have many private schools in the US. These schools must be approved and meet the national and state standards. In recent years home schooling has become popular. This, too, must meet all required standards.
     In the 12th grade all students are required to take a national standard test of achievement and competency. If they do not score high enough then they must do some remedial work and take the test again until they make a passing score.
     I hope that I have said some things that are helpful or meaningful and appropriate to what you have asked me to do.
     Love to you and your family.
Mary E. Mery