In a response to the National Governors Association (NGA) goals and objectives related to second language study, the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL) makes a case in support of 10 NGA principles for change. It is emphasized that the study of a second language must remain an essential component of any efforts to improve the quality of American education, that opportunities for language study be available for all students by the year 2000, and that more students develop higher levels of second-language proficiency. More teachers will be needed at all levels and questions of articulation must be addressed. More course offerings in less commonly taught languages are needed, along with more appropriate assessment strategies and new teaching strategies to address the variety of learner strategies used by the wider pool of students. Language instruction also must be integrated with other disciplines, and the needs of limited English proficient students, who should be perceived as a resource rather than a problem, should be examined more carefully. Concrete examples show what is currently being done in relation to each NGA principle. A list giving the titles of 20 supporting documents is appended. (LB)