The interrelatedness of job security for language teachers and student enrollment in foreign language courses is discussed. The decline in student interest and enrollment in language programs is traced to several sources including: (1) the "let's-teach-only-the-best-kids" syndrome, (2) the continuity myth, and (3) the "can't-get-away-from-the-text" syndrome. Suggestions for alleviating attrition and for attracting the untouched student population focus on program diversity through the development of minicourses, an increased emphasis on individualized instruction, and the addition of more culture courses to the foreign language program. Teachers are urged to promote career education in order to make students at every level of foreign language instruction aware of careers that either require or that would be enhanced by foreign language skills. The need to increase public awareness of foreign language offerings is stressed, and several activities which would involve the public at large in language programs are described. (PP)