The Iowa guide to foreign language curriculum development, the result of a 1985 state mandate, is designed to help local teachers and administrators build on and improve current curriculum and instructional methods. An opening section outlines the rationale, philosophy, and goals of the guide, and subsequent sections focus on curriculum design and evaluation. The first of these addresses a variety of curriculum issues: intended student outcomes by proficiency level, modern language objectives and activities, Latin instruction for proficiency, foreign languages in the elementary schools, French scope and sequence, German scope and sequence, Spanish scope and sequence, recent trends in foreign language instruction, and the use of instructional technology. The second discusses program self-evaluation, program evaluation by students, and evaluation of student performance. Appended materials include the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' 1986 proficiency guidelines, a sample program evaluation model, college and university enrollment and graduation requirements for foreign language study, samples of ads illustrating language-related career opportunities, and information on language-related professional associations. (MSE)