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)

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…

Summarizes preliminary results from a survey started during the 1979 fall semester for the purpose of identifying textbooks used in beginning German courses at college/university level and analyzing curricular factors relating to the programs surveyed. Describes data as based on 189 responses to a questionnaire sent to 222 departments. (MES)

Suggests that support from the institution receiving a foreign language program grant is essential to the program's life and longevity and that institutions should be encouraged by the funding agencies to meet their expressed, supportive commitments. Suggestions are given on how to make a grant-funded curricular project work. (GLR)

A one-semester course in Schwyzertutsch is described. The Swiss German dialect is taught as the twenty-sixth language in the noncredit extension service of the University of Queensland. (LB)

Integration of Francophone culture into the language curriculum rests on a suggested three-step approach, involving extensive student research. Goals are (1) recognition of the geography of French-speaking regions; (2) sensitivity to cultural components (e.g., music, art); and (3) familiarity with at least one significant political, historical,…

Argues for the inclusion of courses in phonetics and phonology in college Italian programs, claiming that the myth of Italian as a phonetic language blurs the clear need for such training and that students actually require advanced coursework in phonetics and phonology to improve their articulation and pronunciation. (43 references) (Author/CB)