This digest discusses the professional development of foreign language teachers at a time when the foreign language teaching profession is facing a number of new challenges, such as a rapidly changing student clientele, the development of national standards for foreign language education, and advances in technology. The first section of the digest lists some of the challenges that today's foreign language teachers are encountering. The second section focuses on the skills and knowledge that good foreign language teachers need, while the third section discusses ways for teachers to maintain and continue developing these skills and knowledge. The next section provides information on opportunities for professional development, such as programs offered by the federal government and by National Foreign Language Resource centers. The final section includes a number of recommendations for teacher education. Contains substantial resource list. (JL)