This guide to language instruction in California public schools is designed for teachers, administrators, counselors, board members, parents,and curriculum planners. Five major areas concern: (1) creating effective foreign language programs, (2) designing a course of study for foreign languages, (3) implementing a foreign language program, (4) individualizing instruction, and (5) professional growth. This text focuses attention on the elements of foreign language instruction, clarifies common problems, offers solutions, and can be used in the planning or reappraisal of any school district's program of foreign language education. Specific chapters concern program articulation, culture, instructional objectives, language proficiency, instructional materials, program coordination, student placement, scheduling, paraprofessionals, programed learning and computer- assisted instruction, student contracts, and instructional improvement. Appendixes contain: (1) commercial language tests, (2) guidelines for evaluation of foreign language instructional materials, (3) study-abroad-program evaluation guidelines, (4) criteria for selection of FLES instructional materials, (5) legal provisions for foreign language instruction in California, (6) instructional objectives and student behaviors, and (7) selected references. (RL)