Culture was not considered significant in foreign language instruction until the direct method was introduced at the end of the nineteenth century. By the 1970s, language teachers came to realize that language was deeply rooted in culture and could not be separated from it. International understanding has been emphasized in foreign language instruction in the United States in this century, as a means of recognizing the universals in human relations and understanding the self and the home culture. Intercultural communication requires handling the target language and having insight into the culture and society of its speakers. Cultural orientation is very important for students preparing to study abroad. The growth of bilingual/bicultural education in the United States has encouraged Americans to understand their own cultural backgrounds as well as others. Professional organizations have supported and encouraged cultural education in foreign language instruction, developing materials and including information about culture in the curriculum from the 1950s on. Beyond the benefits of enhanced international understanding, intercultural communication, and self-knowledge, additional benefits accrue to cultural education. Five pages of references are provided. (MSE)