Americans generally lack foreign language competence, and their exposure to foreign languages in the United States is inadequate. Foreign language instruction is deficient in both quality and quantity, and although there are indications of improvement in both areas, it will be many years before the effects of improvements are clear. The consequences of generalized language incompetence include an international trade gap that threatens both short- and long-term economic stability, inadequate intelligence and international communication that threaten national security, and cultural isolation. Foreign language instruction should begin as early as possible in children's education to be maximally effective. All students, not just the gifted, are likely to benefit from foreign language exposure. The first step toward becoming a language-competent society is a commitment to language study at all levels of the school system, using the institutionalization of language and culture study to improve language and cultural attitudes. (MSE)