Presents a brief history of the status of foreign language instruction from 1953 to 1984. Summarizes research on effects of foreign language study. Describes the foreign language education program at the University of Tennessee--Knoxville, providing an overview of the organization, curricular content, and methodology. Evaluates Knoxville's unique…

Examines the shift in the role of the college and university language department head from that of colleague and leader to manager, resulting from changing institutional and professional culture. Argues department chairs must read recent research on department leadership, learn about changes in higher education and the faculty's role, and…

The value of foreign language education at the elementary school level for Australia is discussed from two perspectives: its contribution to tolerance of cultural diversity within Australian society and its contribution to Australia's role in the global society. Reference is made to a variety of studies and commission reports. First, the…

Discusses what the college language department needs to communicate to the dean about what it does, including the substance of language, literature, and culture and the disparate teaching demands they create. Focus is on how realistic current staffing patterns are and how they may have to change for language departments to be allocated adequate…

Foreign language department chairs are faced with leadership challenges that require them to mediate between new forces and old practices and between youthful enthusiasm and proven experience. While some changes demanded by current circumstances must be opposed, leaders must choose their battles carefully. Several real examples are explored. (MSE)

Argues that two forms of leadership exist currently in college and university foreign language departments: the top publishing and public-speaking scholars; and the people who chair the departments, dealing with the daily business of staffing courses and working with faculty and administrators. Suggests the two types of leaders operate in…

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at Pace University (New York) has responded to uneven language enrollments by developing two new majors: (1) modern languages and cultures, in which students must demonstrate proficiency in any two modern languages offered, and (2) language, culture, and world trade, an interdisciplinary applied…

A discussion of the status of German second language instruction, particularly at the postsecondary level, focuses on the role of standards, curriculum, and testing in increasing interest in and support for foreign language education. A substantial decline in German enrollments in the first half of the 1990s is noted, and possible reasons are…

A collection of 31 articles addresses issues in college language department administration, focusing on the role and responsibilities of the department head. The following articles are included: "View from the Top: What a Liberal Arts College President Expects from a Language Department" (Schmidt); "View from the Top: What a Liberal Arts Dean…

A French writing workshop used at the university level in Japan to enhance French language instruction is described. The exercises, in which students write Haiku and minimalist poetry in French, stress such aspects of language use as associations, connotations, and creative word use. Several exercise types are described. (MSE)

Ways in which teachers can use the guidelines set out in "Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Preparing for the 21st Century" (Standards) to design classroom instruction are discussed. The Standards document is explained, some misconceptions about it are examined, its relevance for the classroom teacher is explored, and examples are…

Suggests that in college second language teaching, teachers and administrators view the classroom as a place where computers are resources for teachers and students alike, and teachers and learners work side by side taking advantage of electronic teaching materials. This requires that teachers design appropriate tasks and that department heads…

Summarizes results of a survey of Arizona State University education students, graduates, and teacher supervisors concerning the experience of language teacher trainees and the need for change in the training process. A program model designed to respond to that need is described, noting both barriers to and prospects for real change. (MSE)

Discussion of governance in college foreign language departments focuses on the conflicting views of faculty about: the nature of language; intellectual justification, position, and role of foreign language studies in American higher education; goals, purposes, and approaches for language learning in an instructional setting; and governance…

It is suggested that, in secondary school level second-language teaching in the European Community, more effort should be made to take advantage of geographic proximity to language groups and to diversify the languages being taught and learned. Increased international exchange is urged. (MSE)