Discusses the United States' significant need for communicative competence in other languages and relevant problems with the higher education system. Addresses the lack of student interest, structural problems, the foreign language mission, institutional challenges and strategies, inter-institutional collaboration, and technology. (EV)

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)

The use of the data files contained in the High School and Beyond (HSB) research project is discussed. The comments are based on an analysis of the HSB material and are specifically directed at the language file, high school bilingual program participation, and HSB tests. In an evaluation of the language file, the question of whether Hispanic…

This report explains that 2000-01 was the eighth year in which the Centre for Language and Communication Studies (CLCS) at the University of Dublin's Trinity College offered extracurricular foreign language modules to students who were not studying a foreign language as part of their degree course. The modules are intended to develop students'…

The history of foreign languages in the elementary school (FLES) in the United States reveals six reasons, not commonly acknowledged, for declining enrollment in the 1950s and 1960s. A checklist for self-evaluation of new and existing programs based on those reasons is presented. (53 references) (Author/MSE)

This report offers figures on modern foreign language enrollments in four-year colleges and universities for fall 1961 and compares them with those of fall 1960. Most of this information is presented in tables, the majority of which detail enrollment figures and percent of change by state and institution. Individual institution enrollment for…

Motivated by attrition in French immersion programs in Canada, a study was undertaken of the perceptions of French coordinators, helping teachers, school principals, and French immersion teachers in British Columbia (Canada) school districts regarding the attrition rate and students' reasons for leaving immersion. The research differed from…

Major efforts have been made in the United States during the last 15 years to develop high quality programs for the teaching of African languages. These efforts are encountering increasing difficulties which are largely a function of a variety of special problems affecting the teaching of African languages. All of these problems contribute to…

The foreign language program in the Edison, New Jersey public schools is described. The exemplary features of this program are: (1) It is not limited to college-bound students, (2) a significant provision is made for program advocacy, and (3) there are full four- and six-year sequences in French, Spanish, and German. (PMJ)

A study investigated results of the 1982 Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation initiative to expand teaching of Chinese in high schools. The approach taken was to examine the entire range of elements in the Dodge initiative at 55 schools where projects were funded, drawing from questionnaires, site visits, and interviews. Additional, different…

A review of Government support of foreign language and area studies programs in institutions of higher education investigated funding, administration, and need. Since 1968, overall enrollments in the study of modern foreign languages have fallen, but enrollments in the "needed" languages, those supported by Title VI of the National…

The increase in immersion program enrollments shows a need for French-instructed postsecondary programs, especially in education and the social sciences. The expansion of quality postsecondary programs will reduce the decline in secondary immersion enrollment. Current world economic and political realignment will also increase the demand for…

The years since the fall of the Soviet Union have seen dramatic changes in international relations, global economics, global communications, population migration, and international organized crime. A survey of language needs in the federal government identified 43 countries of primary importance, 19 of secondary importance, and 30 languages…

The less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) have entered mainstream foreign language teaching only in the last decade. The LCTLs include all languages other than French, German, and Spanish and can be divided into several subgroups, including "truly foreign languages" (TFLs) that are not cognate to English. While TFLs have never been very visible…

An analysis was conducted of relevant documents published by federal and provincial governments and other French as a Second Language (FSL) stakeholders to examine whether governmental and school board policies are contributing to the general decline in status of FSL instruction in Canada. Federal documents published by the Office of the…