The status of foreign language instruction in American education is the focus of the introductory remarks in this paper. The role of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages; current enrollment trends in language programs; and trends in teaching methods, teacher education, and the job market are briefly examined. A prognosis of concerns of the language teaching profession includes discussion of needs and trends in (1) the declining population, (2) federal aid, (3) new scheduling patterns, (4) budget cuts, (5) the "new student," (6) mini-courses and individualization, (7) articulation, (8) foreign languages and human relations, (9) goals, (10) careers, (11) public relations, and (12) the national scene. (RL)