Attempts to explain the high rate of student attrition in first-year language courses. The author gained insight into the problem when he enrolled in a Chinese course, which he eventually dropped because of lack of incentive. He concludes that awareness of the need for language learning will curb attrition rates. (Author/PJM)

The Self-Instructional Language Program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is described. Students transcribe their own set of lessons from master tapes and are expected to study at least two hours daily. Each week they converse in small groups with native speaker "drill instructors." (MLW)

A survey of 166 4-year colleges and universities examined pre-college and within-college foreign language requirements, foreign language petitioning processes, foreign language waiver/course substitutions, teaching methods, and instructional alternatives. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for students with learning…

Describes the goals and responsibilities of the Institute of Latin American Studies at Liverpool University, including brief biographical sketches of staff members and a listing of research in progress. (CB)

The special needs of college students with learning disabilities are often challenging because of the variety of disabilities and accommodations. An alternative, parallel Spanish course at Old Dominion is described in the larger context of postsecondary foreign-language requirements. (Contains 25 references.) (Author/LB)

Student attitudes toward the study of literature in a foreign language were examined, based on a survey of introduction to literature courses in French and Spanish. Most students revealed positive attitudes. A review of previous research and the survey instrument are included. (38 references) (LB)

A brief review of the effectiveness of the writing mode chosen for the writing component of second language instruction precedes a description of one university's program for incorporating the teaching of writing in French to improve writing skills, language mastery, critical thinking, and higher-level cognitive thinking. (18 references) (CB)

Advocates alternative approach to teaching of Arabic as a foreign language, which is based on integration of a spoken Arabic dialect and Modern Standard Arabic in a single course of instruction. This proposal is designed to alleviate some of the problems currently faced by Arabic programs in preparing students for the complex sociolinguistic…

Provides guidelines suggested by the Association of Departments of Foreign Languages for the administration of foreign language departments. (Author/VWL)

Discusses a policy at Baylor University for accommodating students with language learning disabilities so they can meet the university's foreign language (FL) requirements. Explains how language-based learning disabilities are diagnosed and how they are related to FL learning, the legal obligations of an institution, and how universities cope with…

Reports results of the Modern Language Association's survey of foreign language enrollment in colleges and universities across the United States. Questionnaires were sent to registrars of 2,836 2- and 4-year institutions, soliciting information on credit-bearing registrations for fall 1998 registration in all language courses other than English.…

A study investigated the nature and extent of African American interest in African languages. Data were gathered in (1) an informal telephone survey of selected universities having an African American studies department and/or a sizeable number of Black students, and African-centered public schools, and (2) a survey of 234 African Americans and…

This article describes the international program at Missouri Southern, which began 10 years ago and has expanded in both the number of students and faculty participating, and in the places to go for foreign study. The program affects students two ways, according to university president Julio Leon. While some students do foreign study as part of…

The present study expands the design of Warschauer (1996) surveying freshman foreign language students at a Turkish university. Motivating aspects of computer assisted instruction in terms of writing and e-mailing are explored through an exploratory factor analysis conducted on the survey developed by Warschauer (1996). Findings suggest that…

A change in language laboratory use at the University of North Alabama has given new meaning to the lab requirement and role. While developing a language program, the developer reviewed the language lab's traditional role and found a mixed history with many negative aspects. Personal experience also revealed problems, including: students and…