The UK has experienced a sharp decline overall in the uptake of languages since 2004, as evidenced by the falling number of entries for GCSE and A Level examinations in languages. At a time when the UK government seeks to reset its global economic relationships as part of its vision of 'Global Britain', such a decline is likely to have negative…

This paper considers the languages on offer in secondary schools in England and the possibility of enacting curriculum change with a view to reducing the dominance of French, Spanish and, to a lesser extent, German as a possible way to increase take-up of modern foreign languages post-14. Questionnaires were completed by 666 students aged 14-15,…

While there are many difficulties faced by world language educators, both teachers and students of certain languages--languages commonly identified with countries and cultures deemed to be hostile to the United States--often find themselves in uniquely paradoxical situations. This article begins with a brief anecdotal description of the personal…

In contrast to the waning interest in learning languages other than English (LOTEs) worldwide, mainland China is pursuing to diversify LOTE education because of the 'Belt and Road Initiative.' In response to language policy shifts, individual stakeholders in local contexts such as universities have to take actions to initiate LOTE programs or…

Like other anglophone countries, the UK is experiencing a language 'crisis', in that fewer and fewer students opt to study a foreign language (FL) beyond the compulsory phase, and that the UK's language skills do not match its economic needs. Despite strong statements of commitments to increase FL uptake, decline in FL uptake in the UK's four…

This paper takes stock of the state of language learning in the UK, as the country teeters on the edge of Brexit and becomes used to being led by the first Prime Minister in over 50 years to have studied Languages at university. The author, Megan Bowler, a Classics student at the University of Oxford, looks at the broad benefits to individuals,…

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…

Excerpted from a study published by the Modern Language Association of America (MLA) pursuant to a contract (No. OEC-0-8-071155-3708) with the U.S. Office of Education. (DS)

Research was performed pursuant to Contract No. OEC-0-8-07155-3708 with the U.S. Office of Education. (DS)

Examines the correlation between high school foreign language study and success in college. Found that those who studied Latin, French, German, or Spanish in high school may be expected to perform better academically in college than students of equal academic ability who do not take a foreign language. (SED)

THIS REPORT, BASED ON TESTS GIVEN TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS IN THE SPRING, 1967, DESCRIBES THE SLIGHT CHANGES MADE IN TESTING PROCEDURES AND GIVES TEST AND PLACEMENT RESULTS FOR 2,646 STUDENTS IN FRENCH, GERMAN, SPANISH, AND LATIN. TENTATIVE PLACEMENT IN FRENCH, GERMAN, AND SPANISH WAS BASED ON SCORES OBTAINED ON MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION READING…

A foreign language teacher describes her simple and inexpensive strategy for recruitment and publicity to build a strong foreign language program in the Crook County, Oregon, schools. Inexpensive methods of acquiring and developing instructional materials are also described. (SW)

A SURVEY CONDUCTED AT ABINGTON HIGH SCHOOL IN PENNSYLVANIA REVEALED THAT OVER HALF THE SCHOOL'S 10TH AND 11TH GRADE STUDENTS DISCONTINUE THEIR LANGUAGE STUDY AFTER THEY FINISH 3RD YEAR FRENCH OR SPANISH. THE MOST COMMON REASONS GIVEN BY THESE STUDENTS WERE SCHEDULING DIFFICULTIES, LOW GRADES IN THE LANGUAGE COURSE, AND THE FEELING THAT FURTHER…

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…