Five themes are addressed: the role of language planning/policy in marking world events; ethnic revitalization; continuing migration and mobility; differential perceptions of the role of the mother tongue in primary education; and the potential contributions of language planning to educational and national development. (Contains 16 references.)…

The effects of Japan's decentralization of public and junior colleges and private education subsidy policy on enrollment rates and trends in urban and provincial areas are examined, and disparities likely to occur between regions are discussed. (MSE)

International migration is presented as a permanent phenomenon. Historical changes in migration patterns are traced; and different types of immigration policies, and current and future trends are reviewed. Open and unrestricted immigration is a thing of the past, but selective, and illegal, immigration will continue. (SLD)

This publication presents results of a year-long research program initiated by the National Commission for Employment Policy to research and discuss the employment effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It contains the letter to the President in which the Commission endorses NAFTA because of its positive employment-creating…

This executive summary examines the rapid changes occurring in economic markets and employment around the world. The report concludes that problems of low incomes, poor working conditions, and insecurity affecting many of the world's workers can be tackled effectively in ways that reduce poverty and regional inequality. Sound domestic policy and a…

The social policy implications of demographic trends are examined, to help policy makers anticipate future needs for services with greater accuracy. Crises such as energy needs and social security financing illustrate the need for greater recognition of the time dimension of public policy. Many of our most difficult problems, if they are to be…

The role of migration and of federal policy in population redistribution should be a central focus in population geography education. Although migration to the Sunbelt and the West has been a pattern since the 1950s, a significant trend has been noted only since the 1970s, when the birth rate dropped so much that natural increase could not…

Reviews demographic and linguistic consequences of recent processes of migration and minority group influx in Western Europe and describes the case of the Netherlands to illustrate these effects. Highlights first- and second-language studies of immigrant and ethnic minority groups and notes resulting major demographic trends in Dutch society and…

Examines demographic changes in the United States since 1980s influencing the recent effort to assert English over other languages. Key issues include: efforts to ensure English dominance in English-Only initiatives; court rulings on English-Only regulations in the workplace; and bilingual education legislation. Reviews current research on…

The last in a series of reports on nine prominent foreign languages in Australia reviews the status of Spanish, particularly as it concerns public policy and second language teaching. The first chapter describes the research and survey methodologies that are the basis for this report. Subsequent chapters summarize the results and draw conclusions.…