The five papers collected in this booklet present an overall view of language development from the early 1950's to the present. Joshua A. Fishman discusses language and the problems of social and national development and indicates how sociolinguistic research may illuminate these problems. Albert H. Marckwardt considers the teaching of English as a foreign language, discussing the postwar and present situations, the role of linguistics, teaching materials, and the teacher shortage. Kenneth Mildenberger discusses progress in teaching and research in both the commonly and uncommonly taught languages, considering learning theories, instructional improvement, instructional materials, professionalism, and Federal aid. Implications of the new technology for language teaching are examined by Wilbur Schramm, who discusses the present and possible future uses of accepted technological devices and examines the more controversial technological developments. Melvin F. Fox reports on Ford Foundation activities (1951-66) in support of foreign language teaching and the teaching of English as a second language at home and abroad. (AR)