Three brief scenarios introduce a discussion of how foreign language department chairs can handle difficult faculty situations. External influences on higher education are noted, and strategies are outlined, including listening, defining the problem, mentoring, and keeping written records. (LB)

Overviews differences regarding goals and approaches for foreign language (FL) education and identifies obstacles to consensus. The author situates the different discourse communities interested in FL education, and the contexts providing the "raison d'etre" for these differences. Two responses to this overview and the author's reaction to them…