This essay by the president of the National Council on Foreign Language and International Studies cites figures revealing Americans' ignorance of foreign languages and basic facts concerning the rest of the world. A plan of action is outlined for schools. (MJL)

When 40 Spanish-speaking students registered for classes 5 years ago, the Sierra Junior High School staff (New Mexico) designed a language development program and created student and teacher schedules in 24 hours. This article describes curricular emphases and program progress. A new goal is to encourage both English and Spanish proficiency.…

Discusses the use of cooperative experiential learning as a method to help non-English speakers improve their English communication skills. Cites such factors as the necessity for cooperation and communication among students, the motivational character of natural conversation, and the "mainstreaming" of the limited English speaker. (PGD)

Educators should combine foreign language study with discovery of another culture. Several postsecondary institutions are adopting Language Across the Curriculum, which allows students to apply their second-language knowledge in various courses or integrate other disciplines into language courses. James Hammers' culture/geography pedagogy is…

Research studies fail to support bilingual education theory, despite Hispanic parents' extensive lobbying to have their children taught in Spanish. Many Hispanic parents now realize that bilingual education has not served their best interests. The vast majority of limited-English-proficiency students receive English-as-a-Second Language…