Interest in the Far East has fueled dramatic increases in the past three years in the number of students taking classes in Japanese and Chinese. Many are studying these languages in conjunction with courses on business or economics in the hope that proficiency in the language will lead to lucrative jobs in international business. (MLW)

College language departments report that, although enrollments in Spanish and some Pacific Rim languages are growing rapidly, declines are seen in French and German, traditionally popular, and in many less commonly taught languages. Students are motivated by practical considerations: many find their employment potential is increased by language…

This interview with Glenn H. Nordin, Assistant Director of Intelligence Policy (Language and Training), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, explores in depth the officially perceived language needs of the U.S. military in the foreseeable future. Questions and answers include the following: How has the end of the Cold War affected…

After a historical perspective of foreign language teaching in the United States, the article discusses current needs for second-language instruction, explores attempts to teach critical languages in public schools, and suggests approaches for the future. (SM)

A survey was conducted to examine the depth and breadth of Japanese language instruction offered in the United States, to analyze the impact of mainstreaming instruction in one of the most difficult languages to teach, and to make recommendations leading to increased instructional effectiveness. Teachers, administrators, and students were surveyed…

This document discusses the various problems students and teachers face in Asian language education programs at both the elementary secondary and university levels. Asian languages are much more difficult to learn than more commonly-taught languages like French or Spanish, and the available curriculum and testing materials are inadequate. There…

This report gives information on language enrollments in New York State for the years 1968 through 1979. The statistical tables provide the following information: (1) the percentage of the New York State public school population enrolled in foreign language study in grades 7, 8, and 9-12; (2) enrollment data for FLES, grade 7, grade 8, levels…

Designed to inform the profession about foreign language programs, methods, schedules, enrollments, and trends on Long Island, this report of a survey conducted in 1968 in 60 school districts, the Diocese of Brooklyn, and three parochial schools updates information gathered in a similar survey made in 1966. After a brief analysis under the general…

The report presents results of a 1996 national survey of New Zealand concerning the provision of Maori language instruction at all levels (early childhood, elementary (primary), secondary, and postsecondary (tertiary)), enrollment rates, student characteristics, and teacher characteristics and qualifications. Data are organized in these…

The Des Moines (Iowa) Public Schools foreign language program for K-12 is described and evaluated. The evaluation report focuses on six areas, including: (1) school district mission and philosophy of foreign language instruction; (2) context (state policies and standards, foreign language program overview and enrollment, fiber-optic communication…

The 1993 annual national survey of state supervisors of foreign languages concerning language enrollments, language offerings, state supervisor's responsibility, cooperation between language departments and other education offices, and educational reform efforts is reported. Thirty-nine states responded to the survey. Of these, 34 received funding…