Slides from Marty Abbott\'s keynote address at the October 2008 Michigan World Language Association Annual Conference.

1. Language Educators: Shaping the Future in a New Era! The Michigan World Language Association 2008 Annual Conference Lansing, Michigan Marty Abbott, Director of Education [email_address]

12. ACTFL Roper Poll 2005 Plurality of Americans Agree There Is “Too Little” Foreign Language Instruction In America’s Public Schools Base: Total Americans 18+ “ In your opinion, is there too little , too much , or the right amount of foreign language instruction in America’s public schools?” (Q.3)

13. Plurality of Americans Agree There Is “Too Little” Funding for Foreign Language Instruction In America’s Public Schools Base: Total Americans 18+ “ In your opinion, is there too little , too much , or the right amount funding for foreign language instruction in America’s public schools?” (Q.3)

14. One in Four Americans Live In a Household With Someone Fluent in More Than One Language Base: Total Americans 18+ Percent who say one or more people in household are fluent in more than one language: “ How many people living in your household, if any, speak more than one language fluently?” (Q.1)

15. Half of Americans Have Dealings With a Person Whose First Language Is Not English at Least Once a Week Base: Total Americans 18+ “ About how often would you say you have dealings with a person whose first language is not English? Would you say…” (Q.2)

18. Foreign Language Students Report They Are Most Interested in Studying

19. Students Report Anticipated Future Use of Foreign Language Student Question #6 – Which of the following best describe your future use of foreign language?

21. Foreign Language Teachers Report Areas in Need of Support

22. Challenges Foreign Language Teachers are Facing