Discusses the problem of British students (1) not electing foreign language courses and (2) electing the courses, but dropping out after a year or two. Examines some reasons that more girls than boys study languages. Questions whether the 16+ examination system might be discouraging students from language study. (EKN)

The practical role of foreign language study in affording students an understanding of their own language, entering college, and getting employment is shown. It is argued that foreign languages are a necessary and integral part of any curriculum. (Author/CM)

Reports on and presents results of 1980 MLA enrollment survey of foreign language registration in U.S. institutions of higher education. Results show only slight drop from fall 1977 report. Six leading languages are Spanish, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Russian. Survey shows considerable growth in less commonly taught languages. (Author/BK)

Reports on comprehensive study undertaken by the MLA to review foreign language programs in two-year colleges and formulate objectives and recommendations. Three stages of project were informal survey, one-day workshops to discuss ways in which language teaching profession could strengthen two-year college enterprise, and meeting of leaders in…

Examines the plight of the overloaded secondary school foreign language teacher, with examples taken from Indiana statistics, and suggests that the attention of textbook writers and professional organizations be directed toward helping these teachers. (AM)

Examines why boys do not study languages in Australia. Focuses on what boys themselves are thinking and what their perceptions of their relationship with languages are. Looks at boys specific attitudes toward language learning, what they perceive to be the relevance of language learning, and what their perceptions are of the profile of language in…

This commentary on language curricula in universities is followed up commentaries by a language center director, on perspectives from a Spanish department, the case of Japanese, the role of foreign languages in universities, and foreign language enrollment numbers. (VWL)

Shows how the language laboratory can become a primary point of convergence for the foreign language department. Discusses how the language laboratory at one college gained momentum as a support for collaborative learning, curricular reform, and study abroad, resulting in greater visibility for the foreign language department on campus and…

Discusses the United States' significant need for communicative competence in other languages and relevant problems with the higher education system. Addresses the lack of student interest, structural problems, the foreign language mission, institutional challenges and strategies, inter-institutional collaboration, and technology. (EV)

This paper highlights the problem of falling recruitment to foreign language (FL) degrees in higher education (HE), outlining some of the recent changes in secondary FL education which have contributed in part to this situation. It draws attention to the lack of research into the impact that the fall in numbers of students taking a foreign…

Outlines the history of instruction since the early nineteenth century, and the current situation in secondary and post-secondary schools; the author encourages greater national responsibility for the organization and promotion of instruction. (Text is in French.) (MSE)

The author sketches the history and geographic area of the dialect; the extent of its instruction, with specific figures and a survey of attitudes; the importance of dialect literature; and the aspirations of various cultural groups. (Text is in French.) (MSE)

To reverse trends toward reductions in the number of foreign language teaching positions, it is necessary to change the negative image associated with foreign languages and to try to attract more students. A four-point selling program is suggested. (Author/RM)

A SURVEY OF 488 SCHOOL DISTRICTS WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION CONCERNING FOREIGN LANGUAGE OFFERINGS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING EACH FOREIGN LANGUAGE, AND THE NUMBER OF PUPILS STUDYING FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1965-1966. THIS INFORMATION ABOUT MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES IS PRESENTED IN…