This paper questions the practical application of the audiovisual method in FL instruction in Belgian secondary schools. Some of the reasons for the lack of success of the audiolingual method are given as: the large size of the classes; the young age and poor motivation of the students; the small number of weekly hours devoted to FL instruction; and the poor preparation of the professors. An eclectic method is proposed which incorporates: (1) the use of the FL as much as possible; (2) the active use of the mind, from the Direct Method; and (3) the use of drills, exercises, composition practice, etc., from the grammatical method. In addition, to insure the method's success, class sizes must be reduced; the aural-oral period must last several months; weekly instruction hours must be increased; and traditional methods such as dictation and translation must be used to insure the development of spelling and comprehension skills. It is hoped that this active and intensive method will give students a firm foundation with emphasis on the spoken language. (Author/AM)