The distinction between learning a first and a second language leads the author to discuss the nature of "high school French" and student expectations. Secondly, the notion of relevance and foreign language instruction is scrutinized in the light of conjectured needs of contemporary American culture. The third major area of discussion examines the…

The "legacy" of the humanities is discussed in terms of relevance, involvement, and other philosophical considerations. Reasons for studying foreign literature in language classes are developed in the article. Comment is also made on attitudes and ideas culled from the writings of Clifton Fadiman, Jean Paul Sartre, and James Baldwin. (RL)