A report on second language instruction in elementary schools outlines the state of the art and makes policy and program and offers recommendations. An introductory section discusses the rationale for foreign language instruction at all levels and particularly in elementary schools, emphasizing the value of early and prolonged exposure to language study. A second section examines program format choices: immersion, FLES (foreign language in elementary school), and FLEX (foreign language exploration). A third section discusses language choices, and presents the cases for French, Spanish, and German; for Japanese, Korean, and Chinese; and for Latin. Other considerations in establishing a program are addressed, such as the following: whether the program will be integrated into the curriculum or provided as an add-on curriculum element; articulation with high school programs and commitment to followin through at the secondary level; appropriate approaches and materials; and teacher qualifications. Recommendations are made to the Alaska State Department of Education, school administrators, and the University of Alaska concerning information dissemination, needs assessment, policy formation, program administration and coordination, and curriculum development. Attached is a selected bibliography of 15 items and the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Provisional Proficiency Guidelines. (MS)