The salad bowl concept is discussed and the increasing importance of teaching English as a second language (ESL) is examined in this paper. When melting pot theory failed to preserve the values of cultural creativity and diversity of America's many immigrant groups, a new and better idea was born--the notion of the salad bowl. This concept implies that each individual from a different cultural background is encouraged to retain his or her own uniqueness while adding special flavors to enhance the whole. The salad is made richer by the number and variety of its ingredients. The ingredients in the vast salad bowl must have the "dressing." All U.S. citizens must be able to communicate in English as well as their mother tongues. English as a second language cannot simply be poured over the top of the salad. American English is a difficult language and requires time to learn. The dilemma is how to obtain the expertise needed to instruct the many new people who continue to come here and to find the funds needed to support this vital work. Educators have made much progress in two areas: (1) teaching Americans to recognize the value of international understanding based on language fluency, and (2) methods and techniques for teaching ESL. The most effective ESL teachers are the people who have themselves learned a second language. Regarding teaching methods for ESL, eclectic approaches drawn from methods such as the grammar-translation method, the audio-lingual method, and the functional-notional method seem to be the best procedures presently known. ESL teaching has become so critical that many colleges and universities have begun special programs to prepare ESL educators. (RM)