A brief history of television use in foreign language instruction is presented, and the ways in which videotape technology has increased television's potential are discussed. Various uses for the medium, including films designed for language teaching, non-specialized material taped off the air, videotaping of student productions, and teacher-prepared tapes are explored. The impact of recent developments in video technology, such as satellites, multistandard playback equipment, closed-circuit television, digital television, and interactive computer/video systems are examined. More research is needed to help the profession understand how the visual element affects language learning. More flexible and accessible distribution systems for video equipment and more teacher training in effective production and use of materials also need to be researched. Fifty-one references are supplied. (Author/MSE)