A teaching handbook accompanying North Carolina's revised competency-based curriculum for second language instruction in elementary and secondary schools is presented. An introductory section outlines the philosophy and rationale behind the curriculum and its revision, discusses the role of thinking skills in learning, briefly describes programs for exceptional children, and provides notes for the handbook's user. Most of the handbook consists of a description of and notes on the curriculum, treated separately for modern languages and classical languages. For each language group, the guide outlines the instructional purposes, gives a curriculum overview, charts the course of study, notes expectations of learning outcomes in each language skill area, and lists the major and specific skill emphases at each grade level. For modern languages, these grade levels are K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12. For classical languages, they are 7-8 and 9-12. Appended materials include the text of the state's 1984 school reform act, state policy for the standard course of study, state course requirements for high school graduation, an outline of the state's honors requirements, a sample page from the competency-based curriculum, testing requirements, notes on the textbook adoption process in North Carolina, an organizational chart for instructional services, and a form for suggested additions or revisions. (MSE)