Background on the current status of English and French as a second language (ESL, FSL) and English as a second dialect (ESD) programs in Ontario is provided by questionnaire responses, interviews and a review of pertinent literature. The author concludes that declining enrollment will jeopardize ESL/D and French immersion programs. Reduction in staff will limit a principal's ability to create or maintain a strong language program. In addition, increases in split grades will result in regular classroom teachers being asked to give extra help in ESL and will create the untenable situation, for French teachers, of having to teach two different levels at the same time. The author recommends mandatory certification for ESL/D teachers, changes in the allocation formula to include program funding from federal and provincial sources, and further research on the efficacy and usefulness of ESL/D programs. The FSL program is strongly entrenched at the elementary level but is declining at the secondary level due to the introduction of the credit system. To encourage greater interest at this level, the author suggests requiring two credits in French for graduation. (Author/WD)