This is a report on the work of the ERFA-industry, an informal association in the Federal Republic of Germany for the exchange of information on language laboratory teaching in commerce and industry. Learning conditions in schools are contrasted to those in industrial courses, as are learning objectives and teaching materials and methods. The use of progressive methods and ideas, especially operational objectives and full integration of various media, seem to give industrial courses an advantage over traditional courses. Therefore the work of ERFA holds implications for language teaching outside the industrial field. Perspectives for the future include the teaching of immigrants, individualized instruction, and language courses that answer the need for furthering one's general education. (AM)