Whereas major research universities may accommodate programs of study in Arabic, Chinese, or Persian, regional universities and liberal arts colleges have struggled to adapt to a wider and more complex array of world languages and literatures in the 21st century. Many have been forced to choose between radically restructuring or closing programs…

SINCE 1958, the Modern Language Association (MLA) has gathered and analyzed data on undergraduate and graduate course enrollments in languages other than English in United States colleges and universities. The previous survey examined language enrollments in fall 2009; here the MLA presents its twenty-third survey in the series, describing trends…

Total enrollments (undergraduate and graduate) in languages other than English dropped by 9.2% between fall 2013 and fall 2016, as reported in the Modern Language Association's twenty-fifth language enrollment census. Despite the overall drop, there were gains in nearly half of all language programs (45.5%) that mitigate somewhat the downward…

Since the late 1960's, German studies, like foreign language studies in general, have been on the decline. Part of the decline in foreign language enrollments can be attributed to higher education's declining rate of enrollment growth, part to elimination of language requirements for degree recipients, and part to shifting program emphases. A…

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 Department of Germanic Languages at the University of Texas at Austin has developed a language program in which students are trained in listening and reading comprehension before practicing production. The main objective was to improve student attitudes and reduce attrition between semesters. (SW)

Looks at factors that contribute to the international status of a language, reviews the economic relations between the United States and German-speaking countries, and finds a confluence of factors that contributes to the reemerging utility of German-language skills for Americans. Discusses enrollment patterns in German-language courses and how…

Argues that despite the decline in enrollments in German at elementary and secondary schools and colleges and universities, there is reason to hope that interest can be invigorated. Suggests that there are easy instructional methods and materials for developing a new motivation in learning the language. (Author/VWL)

This study presents statistical information by state on the major languages being studied in secondary schools. Enrollments by language in Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Latin, and Ancient Greek, and other modern foreign languages are illustrated in three charts. These include: (1) enrollments and percent 1958-62 (Grades 9-12); (2) percent of…

Noting a 14.3 percent decline in student enrollment in college German-language programs between the fall terms of 1968 and 1970, an analysis of the situation is developed and proposals for reversing the trend are outlined. Six major sections discuss: (1) the sad evidence of figures and what they mean for German, (2) the foreign language crisis…

College language departments report that, although enrollments in Spanish and some Pacific Rim languages are growing rapidly, declines are seen in French and German, traditionally popular, and in many less commonly taught languages. Students are motivated by practical considerations: many find their employment potential is increased by language…

Results of a national survey on foreign language enrollments in United States public secondary schools are summarized. Aggregate data are provided for fall 1989, and more detailed data are included for fall 1990. Data indicate a 4.5% increase in secondary school language enrollments nationally since 1985. The increase for high schools alone was…

This is a report on foreign language enrollment in qrades 9-12 in Indiana for the year 1978-1979. The tables qive the following information: (1) a ten year review of foreign language enrollments in Indiana, grades 9-12; (2) the total enrollments for the years 1976-1979 in all foreign languages; (3) the enrollment patterns by levels for the same…

This report is based on a questionnaire survey sent to the registrars of all two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Replies were received from 2,494 institutions, of which 2,313 reported registrations in one or more foreign languages. The fall 1974 survey shows a decline of 6.2% in total foreign language…

The Northeast Campus of Tarrant County Junior College (TX) experienced a foreign language enrollment increase of 196% between 1973 and 1983, compared to a collegewide enrollment increase of only 91%. The program's success is due largely to the number and variety of curricular offerings. In addition to a 6-course sequence of 3- and 4-hour courses…