Description: In 2001 - the year of languages - a curriculum for foreign languages starting as early as the first grade was introduced in all of the 2500 primary schools of Baden-Württemberg. Throughout the country there was much uncertainty as to whether the introduction and implementation of this curricular model would be compatible with the didactics oriented to primary school levels. Most scepticism was roused by the development of educational standards and instruments for measuring achievement, which was undertaken at the same time. We now had the opportunity to develop empirical educational standards for the subjects of English and French in primary school and integrate the findings of our four-year longitudinal study into the study plan (cf. Study plan 2004 of Baden-Württemberg; www.bildungsstandards-bw.de). On the basis of our research findings we are now developing and testing instruments for measuring achievement which are suitable for primary schools. Furthermore, we are implementing didactic principles of immersive-reflexive learning and teaching. This contribution will present the key findings of the study with reference to the Common European Framework.