Examination of the historical facts surrounding the American linguistic heritage and application of theories of language policy and planning may help to clarify possible future directions for the role of language not only in the classroom but in the pluralistic cultures of the United States and the world. The need to revitalize the bilingual tradition in the United States has brought forth questions regarding the role of linguistic uniformity in national unity. Both the maintenance of languages other than English among ethnic groups and the teaching of foreign languages to native Americans are central policy issues. The centrality of language in social, political, and ideological issues accounts for both the frequency and intensity of language heritage debates. There has been a lack of attention to specific language policy in the United States. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Bilingual Education Act in 1967 promoted recognition of the educational role of languages other than English for ethnic groups. Colonial and early national proposals, court cases concerning language and educational policies, developments concerning the education and socioeconomic and political status of immigrants, academic approaches to modern language teaching, and practical benefits of foreign language study in the second half of this century are considered. (SW)