The typical route to certification for beginning foreign language teachers requires the candidate to complete an approved program of teacher education in a four-year institution, have a certain minimum grade point average, and have completed a specified number of foreign language credit hours. Notable trends in foreign language teacher certification include increased teacher competency assessment, reappraisal of teacher preparation programs and certification procedures, and increased use of proficiency standards for evaluating teachers. Critical issues in foreign language teacher certification include a greater demand for teachers with higher proficiency levels and more technical competence in teaching, the need to identify competencies necessary for successful teaching, and exploration of the relationship between test scores and teacher effectiveness. Other changes in teacher certification that would be beneficial for foreign language instruction include increased undergraduate language major requirements, requirement of a variety of supervised clinical experiences, certification based on observed classroom performance as well as written and oral tests, and periodic mandatory recertification. (MSE)