Research in second language learning supports the hypothesis that success in language learning is related to students' attitudes about the culture represented by the target language. This study tests the hypothesis by examining two Spanish programs at three high schools which have a large Mexican-American student enrollment. Declining enrollment…

This paper explores enrollment for foreign language programs (FLPs) in French, Spanish, and German using data collected from students in Grades 7 through 12 in the Grand Blanc Community School District (Michigan) for the 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91, and 1992-93 school years. Research questions address: (1) enrollment figures, (2) loss rates…

One of the most pressing problems in foreign language education concerns the financing of foreign language instruction and foreign language associations. Alternatives that the profession may have to consider in this regard are discussed, and some possible courses of action are suggested. The chances of future survival of discipline-oriented…

This paper discusses the crisis in the teaching of foreign languages brought on by the willingness of higher education institutions in the United States to discourage the study of foreign language as a general educational requirement. A questionnaire recently administered to the graduating class of a major university found that the courses…

This work is one in a series that focuses on nine languages representing the bulk of the second language learning effort in Australian education (Arabic, Modern Standard Chinese, French, German, Modern Greek, Indonesian/Malay, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish). These languages were categorized as the Languages of Wider Teaching. This particular work…

This address to school counselors discusses the role of aptitude and attitudes in learning French as a second language with attention to the senior elementary and high school levels. The Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) and the Attitude Motivation Inventory (ATI) were administered to students. The MLAT and abilities it is designed to assess…

A study of the decline in second language enrollments in Scotland's upper secondary schools is summarized. A survey conducted in 1998, sent to a random sample representing 25 percent of all secondary schools in the country, elicited administrator and language teacher opinions concerning factors influencing language enrollments. Some students were…

The foreign language teaching situation in community colleges is discussed. Foreign language teaching in community colleges tends to be demanding due to the limited curriculum of such institutions, limited enrollment in foreign language courses, and the heterogeneity of the student population in terms of career goals, educational preparation, and…

In an attempt to deal with the current foreign language enrollment and learning problems created by the number of students who discontinue foreign language study after the sixth to eighth grade learning sequence, this pilot study seeks to identify, through the use of the Modern Language Aptitude Test and the Foreign Language Attitude Scale with…

Many junior college foreign language teachers work in schools which serve a large proportion of nontraditional students. A primary reason for low language program enrollments is that these students often believe that foreign language study is difficult, or uninteresting, or they actually fear participation; their cultural and travel experiences,…

Year after year, EFL and translation programs at King Saud University are experiencing significant increases in female freshman student enrollments. This study aims to investigate the effect of female freshman student enrollment figures in EFL programs on student achievement and attitudes, program staffing, classroom instruction, management,…

Concerned with the sharp decline of students in French language classes in recent years, the present study examined a set of intra-school factors that might be related to the decline. Altogether 85 French language teachers and 78 principals at elementary and secondary levels in 14 school divisions in Southwestern Manitoba participated in the…

This study attempts to determine the effect of sequential language programs on motivating students to remain enrolled in their programs. Two language programs in the State of Utah are compared in these areas: (1) philosophy of articulation, (2) sequence of courses, (3) textbooks used, (4) registration procedures, (5) statement of FLES program, (6)…

Changing social attitudes of students in American schools are seen to have a direct bearing on currently declining enrollment figures in foreign language programs. The author discusses ways in which motivation can be improved. Comments are directed to the use of class time, dialogues, pattern drills, memorization, prereading experience,…

At the Foreign Language"Think Tank" Symposium of April 1975, the following major problems of community college foreign language teachers were identified: (1) low enrollment; (2) attrition; (3) low achievers; (4) articulation with universities; and (5) lack of interest. Suggested solutions included: (Problem 1) advertisement, a foreign…