This article reports on a cross-institutional, mixed-methods research study designed to gather data on first year writers' language backgrounds at three North American universities. Researchers administered a language survey to 1,870 first year writing students and led follow-up focus groups with 32 participants. Researchers utilized three methods…

The increases in the number and level of foreign language requirements in school systems throughout the country are explained, and the problems and concerns that stem from these changes are described. Solutions to these problems are enumerated, including: (1) reducing class size; (2) increasing foreign language entrance requirements for both…