This analysis of the state of the art of computer programs and programming for language teaching has two parts. In the first part, an overview of the theory and practice of language teaching, Noam Chomsky's view of language, and the implications and problems of generative theory are presented. The theory behind the input model of language acquisition is examined, and communicative approaches to language teaching are described and analyzed. In part two, concerning language teaching and the computer, the following topics are covered: (1) the analogy made between computers and the language laboratory regarding the use and misuse of technology; (2) the history and state of the art of computer assisted language learning (CALL); (3) the computer as a communicative environment in the present and future; (4) artificial intelligence and CALL, with analysis of an example; and (5) getting started in CALL, including an overview of general-purpose programing languages, computer-assisted instruction authoring languages, foreign language authoring systems, and ready-made courseware. An appendix lists print resources about computer use, and lists of references concerning linguistics and language teaching and computers and language teaching are also included. (MSE)