Two recent reports offer some paradigm-shifting proposals regarding the teaching of world languages in general at the undergraduate level. The Modern Language Association's (MLA's) "Foreign Languages and Higher Education: New Structures for a Changed World" and "Report to the Teagle Foundation on the Undergraduate Major in Language and Literature"…

This interdisciplinary paper is about applying Adult Education methods of learning and teaching to higher education. I argue that higher education students need to be stimulated via interactive methods that improve their motivation and lead them to question the value system/s that exist around them. A Freirean approach as used in the teaching of…

Discusses how shift in enrollment from first-year to second-year language courses could adversely affect graduate programs relying on teaching assistantships. After discussing why fist-year enrollment might be expected to decline and second-year enrollment to grow, suggestions are made on how departments could respond to this shift by assigning…

Examines the question of the general decline of language instruction in various countries, suggesting possible reasons and remedies for the decline. (AM)

Examines the situation of language teaching and international studies in the United States, and makes projections for the future. (AM)

Articles on encouraging growth in foreign language study focus on the following: "Encouraging the Growth of Foreign Language Study"; "Creating Intrinsic Motivation to Learn World Languages"; "Encouraging Growth by Changing Perception"; "Making the Link Between Enrollment and Learning Goals: A School District's Impact"; "Foreign Language Education:…

Discusses experiences over 6 years as the chair of an all-inclusive modern language department in a large, comprehensive public university. One of the most pressing issues faced during the period has been how to respond to the enrollment-driven formulas forced by the university. (Author/VWL)

Looks at the link between government needs for language capacity and the availability of languages in formal education. Suggests that despite previous links between education and defense and the availability of federal funding to subsidize languages in schools, the predominant pattern of language enrollment appears to be in response to domestic…

Advocates a change in American chauvinistic attitudes to view positively Japan's increasing public awareness for balancing industries and the environment. Also suggests that the study of foreign languages would help develop a global view to environmental concerns. (DH)

The practical role of foreign language study in affording students an understanding of their own language, entering college, and getting employment is shown. It is argued that foreign languages are a necessary and integral part of any curriculum. (Author/CM)

Examines the plight of the overloaded secondary school foreign language teacher, with examples taken from Indiana statistics, and suggests that the attention of textbook writers and professional organizations be directed toward helping these teachers. (AM)

This commentary on language curricula in universities is followed up commentaries by a language center director, on perspectives from a Spanish department, the case of Japanese, the role of foreign languages in universities, and foreign language enrollment numbers. (VWL)

Shows how the language laboratory can become a primary point of convergence for the foreign language department. Discusses how the language laboratory at one college gained momentum as a support for collaborative learning, curricular reform, and study abroad, resulting in greater visibility for the foreign language department on campus and…

Attempts to explain the high rate of student attrition in first-year language courses. The author gained insight into the problem when he enrolled in a Chinese course, which he eventually dropped because of lack of incentive. He concludes that awareness of the need for language learning will curb attrition rates. (Author/PJM)

It is argued that proposed integration of cultural studies into French studies threatens French language enrollments because of its nonliterary focus and de-emphasis of traditional instruction in western civilization. A fundamental conflict of perspectives of the two fields persists despite some efforts to reconcile them. (5 references) (MSE)