The report details developments in three areas of United States foreign language instruction, each reflecting major changes in the way foreign language educators think about their role and the way in which they structure the learning process for students. The first section describes the adoption of a voluntary national standard for testing language proficiency, including 10 years of development in proficiency-based instruction and the current use of oral proficiency interviews in entrance examinations, for awarding college credit, and selecting teachers for employment. The second section addresses the recognition of the importance of foreign language competence at all educational levels, but especially in the elementary schools. It outlines the emergence of content-based language instruction and describes various model programs that illustrate how elementary schools and classrooms are integrating foreign language instruction into the overall curriculum. Section 3 discusses the advances in educational technology (computers, video and audio, CD-ROM, compact disks, satellites, cable, and telephones) and how they are making foreign language education more accessible and productive. Each section contains a substantial list of references. (MSE)