The status of foreign language education is discussed in the context of increased enrollments and the current fervor to raise academic standards generally. Problems related to the increased enrollments in high school language courses (audiolingually oriented), and the rather inflexible attitudes of college language departments (literature…

The decline in enrollment in classical studies programs leads to the consideration of possible causes and to the proposal of ways to improve existing courses at the university level. Changing social values and interests are found to be at the source of student discontent. Resultant improvements from a high school and college cooperative curriculum…

Language instruction for business students at Nijenrode College, Holland, is the focus of this article. The basic philosophy and development of the program currently offered are aimed at improving better coordination among departments in order to provide students with an integrated set of faculties which will qualify them to perform the functions…

Noting a 14.3 percent decline in student enrollment in college German-language programs between the fall terms of 1968 and 1970, an analysis of the situation is developed and proposals for reversing the trend are outlined. Six major sections discuss: (1) the sad evidence of figures and what they mean for German, (2) the foreign language crisis…

The Oldenborg Center at Pomona College is an international residence hall promoting international/intercultural experiences. Five major language sections maintain separate living areas, yet films, lectures, radio and tape programs and activities are open to all and a large number of the students participate. (CHK)

Compares two systems of language instruction in terms of effectiveness, versatility, and cost factors. (RL)

Four aspects of the problem of retention of students in foreign language programs are discussed. (1) "Retention and Dropout: The National Situation," by K. E. Muller, describes a survey of retention rates in a sample of colleges and universities; (2) "Retention and Dropout: Some Remarks on One Department's Experience," by F. Valette, reflects on…

A survey was conducted of 508 universities to investigate the status of business Spanish courses in the modern language curriculum. The questionnaire solicited information on the number, size, and scheduling of business Spanish courses; students; course materials; methods of promotion; funding; language requirements; other business language…

The Polish government has encouraged summer study tours of Poland by students from abroad. The unique and fascinating Polish culture combines with the economy of travel in Poland to make such a tour attractive to American students young and old. Four universities offer general summer courses. The program in Krakow is characterized by a minimum of…

Describes a series of courses developed by Seattle University's foreign language department in cooperation with the professor of military science which tries to relate foreign language study to the specific needs of the ROTC cadets. The normal five-quarter credit course has been restructured into a series of variable credit courses. (SED)

Discusses the foreign language requirements at Hunter College. By the fourth semester, a student is expected to read and understand a fairly advanced literary text and to talk and write about it in the target language. Discusses possible changes in these requirements, such as oral proficiency testing, and problems that may be encountered. (SED)

Reports on the fall 1983 survey of foreign language registration in U.S. institutions of higher education. There was a total of 966,013 foreign language registrations--an increase of 4.5 percent since the last published report. The six leading languages were Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Latin. (SED)

Offers some insights into why students rarely attain proficiency in a second language. Suggests organizing a second language program in such a way as to encourage students to spend the time required to become proficient. (EKN)

Outlines the foreign language requirements of the University of Michigan's Residential College, including the five-part proficiency exam, covering all four language skills. (EKN)

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)