Media Coverage
UW foreign language enrollment differs from national decline (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Vettrekind, Riley
Publication: Badger Herald (Madison, WI)
Date: 2/23/2015
Abstract: Business trends typically determine which courses maintain popularity; Spanish class size grows along with Russian, Korean.
URL: https://badgerherald.com/news/2015/02/23/uw-foreign-language-enrollment-differs-from-national-decline/
Foreign-Language Enrollments Drop After Years of Increases (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Berner, Maddy
Publication: Chronicle of Higher Education
Date: 2/11/2015
Abstract: Enrollments in foreign-language courses at American colleges have declined after nearly 20 years of growth, falling 6.7 percent from the fall of 2009 to the fall of 2013, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Modern Language Association.
URL: http://chronicle.com/article/Foreign-Language-Enrollments/189913/
Learning another language is not a priority for college students, report says. (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Karen Farkas
Publication: Cleveland .com
Date: 2/11/2015
Abstract: CLEVELAND, Ohio - College students are less interested in studying Spanish, French, German and other languages, although enrollment in American Sign Language has surged, according to a new report by the Modern Language Association of America.
Total enrollment in all languages, 1.5 million in fall 2013, decreased 6.7 percent from 2009, when the last survey was done, the report said.
URL: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/02/learning_another_language_is_n.html
Few Takers for Hindi (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Alyssa Ayres
Publication: Council on Foreign Relations
Date: 2/19/2015
Abstract: Another year, another survey: the Modern Language Association (MLA) has released its quadrennial language enrollments survey of foreign languages in U.S. higher education. I’m sorry to report that American students continue to display very low interest in Indian languages. This continues a pattern going back decades. Despite the Indian economy’s rapid growth, and the increase in U.S.-India diplomatic ties, students in U.S. colleges and universities are not signing up for Indian languages at remotely the scale languages like Arabic, Chinese, or Korean experience.
URL: http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2015/02/19/few-takers-for-hindi/
Language proficiency proves beneficial for careers (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Roberto Hodge
Publication: Daily Eastern News
Date: 3/26/2015
Abstract: Those who become proficient in a second language typically produce higher scores and have greater cognitive development, a sense of cultural pluralism and an improved self-concept, according to The Global Language Project website.
However, being bilingual and having language proficiency are different.
Stephen Canfield, the chair of the foreign languages department, said those who are bilingual are usually comfortable and have an ease of switching back and forth between two languages, while having proficiency is being highly skilled in a language.
URL: http://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2015/03/26/language-proficiency-proves-beneficial-for-careers/
UI foreign language enrollment bucks national trend (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Brendan Magee
Publication: Daily Iowan
Date: 2/18/2015
Abstract: Fewer students are enrolling in foreign-language university courses nationally, a study says, but the University of Iowa is not following the trend.
According to a survey conducted by the Modern Language Association, there has been a 6 percent decrease in aggregate enrollments.
At the UI, however, enrollment numbers have stayed consistent, wrote Russell Ganim, the director of the UI Division of World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures in an email.
URL: http://www.dailyiowan.com/2015/02/18/Metro/40985.html
Indian languages have few takers in US (Media Coverage)
Publication: Times of INdia
Date: 5/11/2015
Abstract: WASHINGTON: Despite the Indian economy's rapid growth and the increase in US-India ties, American students continue to display low interest in Indian languages, preferring instead languages like Chinese, Korean or Arabic, according to a new language survey.
Students in US colleges and universities are not signing up for Indian languages at remotely the scale languages like Arabic, Chinese or Korean experience, a South Asia expert noted citing the survey by the Modern Language Association ( MLA).
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/Indian-languages-have-few-takers-in-US/articleshow/46323600.cms
After years of growth, foreign language enrollment declines in N.C. colleges (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Jason deBruyn
Publication: Triangle Business Journal
Date: 2/13/2015
Abstract: After years of solid growth, enrollment in foreign-language courses in North Carolina has declined.
From 2009 to 2013, foreign language enrollment fell 4 percent after seeing a 13 percent increase in just the three years leading to 2009. In total numbers, North Carolina still ranks fifth in the nation, with 63,301 students enrolled in foreign-language courses in 2013, according to a report by the Modern Language Association.
URL: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2015/02/13/growth-foreign-language-enrollment-college.html
Americans are beginning to lose their love for foreign languages (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Roberto A. Ferdman
Publication: Washington Post
Date: 2/19/2015
Abstract: College kids aren't studying foreign languages as often as they used to. (Photo by Brandon Dill/For The Washington Post)
Ever since 1958, The Modern Language Association (MLA) has been tracking the number of college students who study a language other than English. Every few years, the organization publishes its findings in a lengthy report. Sometimes enrollment goes up; sometimes enrollment goes down. But lately America's love for foreign languages appears to be wavering.
The MLA's newest report, released this month, highlights a drastic fallout in foreign language studies: roughly 100,000 fewer students took language classes in 2013 than did in 2009, the last time the association surveyed students. Even enrollment in Spanish language classes, which have been climbing for decades and account for more than half of all enrollments, fell off over the period—by roughly 70,000 students—marking the first time that's happened since at least 1958, when the MLA started tracking enrollment.
URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/02/19/americans-are-beginning-to-lose-their-love-for-foreign-languages/
Korean-language classes are growing in popularity at U.S. colleges (Media Coverage)
Publication: LA Times
Date: 5/11/2015
Abstract: When Olivia Hernandez was a middle schooler in Oxnard, she became hooked on K-wave — the global phenomenon of South Korean pop music, television and culture. Inspired by the romantic series "My Lovely Sam Soon" and bands like Clazziquai, she taught herself the Korean alphabet and learned a few phrases.
URL: http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-korean-language-20150401-story.html
Less is More (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Kristal Bivona
Publication: Language Magazine
Date: 3/5/2015
Abstract: The Modern Language Association (MLA) published a new report on the state of language education at the post-secondary level. The report, Enrollments in Languages Other than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, covers enrollments in 2013 at 2,696 institutions. The MLA’s has gathered and analyzed data on world language enrollments since 1958, with recent reports showing enrollments in 2009, 2006, and 2002. This year’s findings are a mixture of good news and bad news for language departments at U.S. colleges and universities: enrollments in world languages decreased by 6.9% from 2009 to 2013. Despite this, enrollments in advanced courses increased for many languages, meaning that although fewer students are enrolling in language courses overall, more students are continuing their language education and becoming more proficient.
URL: http://languagemagazine.com/?page_id=123074
Foreign language enrollment at KU: Down but hardly out (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Sara SHepherd
Publication: Lawrence Kansas News
Date: 2/21/2015
Abstract: Lawrence [KS] Journal-World
February 21, 2015
Mirroring national trend, enrollment has declined even as globalization grows
After a period of growth, enrollment in foreign languages at the college level has gone down in recent years. That’s also been the case at Kansas University, which prides itself on being a national leader in the study of foreign languages — offering courses in 40 of them, more than any other school in the Big 12 or the entire plains area.
Is declining enrollment threatening KU’s program?
URL: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/feb/21/foreign-language-enrollment-ku-down-hardly-out/
Way More College Students Are Studying Korean. Is 'Hallyu' The Reason? (Media Coverage)
Publication: NPR
Date: 5/11/2015
Abstract: A recent study found that in general, college students aren't taking foreign language classes as much as they used to — a slowdown of nearly 7 percent since 2009. But for one language in particular, there's actually been a pretty amazing jump in the rate of enrollment: Korean.
The Modern Language Association says there was a 45 percent increase in university-level enrollment in Korean language classes between 2009 and 2013, from 8,449 students to 12,229. Though the raw numbers are still quite small, a look at why any sort of jump might be happening is interesting. Larry Gordon, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, thinks the wave of international fascination with Korean pop culture — hallyu — is partially responsible.
URL: http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2015/04/03/397263103/way-more-college-students-are-studying-korean-is-hallyu-why
‘A matter of national interest’ (Media Coverage)
Publication: Taipei Times
Date: 3/18/2015
Abstract: American students are getting cold feet about studying Chinese in China, with many study abroad program in the country seeing a substantial drop in enrollment over the last few years.
At the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), student enrollment in programs in China are expected to be less than half the level they were only four years ago. Washington-based CET, another leading study abroad group, says interest in China has been falling since 2013.
URL: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2015/03/18/2003613803
Where are all the high-paying jobs for Spanish speakers? (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Nicholas Subtirelu
Publication: The Week
Date: 5/11/2015
Abstract: If you've ever taken a language class, you've probably heard the promise that learning other languages is good for your economic future. The Modern Language Association (MLA) claims that language learning is important because "knowledge of a second language serves students well in the interconnected world: a second language opens the door to job opportunities in the global economy." That has the ring of truth to it. But it is most definitely not equally true for everyone and every language. Your dutiful memorization of Klingon phrases is not going to help you score that brass-ring job at a New York hedge fund.
URL: http://theweek.com/articles/546976/where-are-all-highpaying-jobs-spanish-speakers
French Courses Less Popular Among US College Students (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Emmanuelle Drouineau
Publication: French Morning (English Edition)
Date: 2/2/2015
Abstract: The percentage of American college students choosing to enroll in French courses is continuing to drop according to the Modern Language Association’s recent survey of over 2,500 institutions of higher learning. The decrease is reflected not just in the French language — other commonly taught languages such as Italian, German, and Spanish are also decreasing in popularity, as well as a general decrease in enrollments in courses teaching any language other than English.
URL: http://frenchmorning.com/en/2015/03/02/french-courses-less-popular-among-us-college-students/
Georgia Universities’ Foreign Language Enrollment Down Since 2009 (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Trevor Williams
Publication: Global Atlanta
Date: 2/13/2015
Abstract: Article on language study in Georgia.
URL: http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/27442/georgia-universities-foreign-language-enrollment-down-since-2009/
The Foreign Language Requirement (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Kassandra Fotiadis
Publication: Huffington Post College
Date: 2/26/2015
Abstract: I was talking to one of my friends at UCLA a few weeks ago over the phone, and the topic of courses came up. The friends that I have known for 10+ years have begun their second semesters of college, and the majority of them already know their intended majors and what they plan to do with those majors after graduating. My UCLA friend will most likely study finance and follow in her father's footsteps, though she has an interest in photography and history as well. As we spoke casually about the courses we're taking this spring, she said something along the lines of, "If I major in economics, I still want to continue taking courses that interest me like history and photography. Of course, I'll also have to take a language eventually."
URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kassandra-fotiadis/the-foreign-language-requirement_b_6762994.html
Monolingual Myopia (Media Coverage)
Publication: Huffington Post
Date: 5/11/2015
Abstract: Debates are sizzling about the efficacy of American education in preparing students for the global economy. Graduates face escalating competition as millions of recent job entrants hit the market from expanding middle-class economies such as India, China and Brazil. Of all the competencies that have the potential to set young Americans apart as they seek jobs, languages are most often overlooked. Recent statistics at both the high school and university levels reveal startling and preoccupying inconsistencies between a globalizing career environment requiring proficiency in more than one language and American students' curricular choices.
URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clayton-lewis/monolingual-myopia_b_6911928.html
Not a Small World After All (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Colleen Flaherty
Publication: Inside Higher Ed
Date: 2/11/2015
Abstract: Overall enrollment in foreign language courses is down for the first time since about 1995, and enrollments in major European languages -- including Spanish -- are way down, according to a new report from the Modern Language Association. Language advocates aren’t sure what’s caused the drop, and say it’s too soon to tell whether it’s a fluke or the beginning of a new trend away from foreign language study. But they’re calling for a renewed effort in helping students see the value in upper-division language classes, which could be helpful to them in their careers.
URL: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/02/11/mla-report-shows-declines-enrollment-most-foreign-languages
U.S. students losing interest in China as dream jobs prove elusive (Media Coverage)
Publication: Japan Times
Date: 5/11/2015
Abstract: SHANGHAI – American students are getting cold feet about studying Chinese in China, with many study abroad programs in the country seeing a substantial drop in enrolment over the last few years.
At the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), student enrolment in programs in China is expected to be less than half the level it was only four years ago. Washington-based CET, another leading study abroad group, says interest in China has been falling since 2013.
URL: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/13/asia-pacific/u-s-students-losing-interest-china-dream-jobs-prove-elusive/#.VRW1YI7Lzcs
DWU bids most foreign languages adieu (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Amber Hiles
Publication: The Daily Republic [South Dakota]
Date: 3/5/2015
Abstract: Tchau, adios, au revoir, arrivederci, auf wiedersehen, or in other words, goodbye to all but one of the languages offered at Dakota Wesleyan University.
According to Dakota Wesleyan University President Amy Novak, effective the fall of 2016, the only language course that will be offered is Spanish.
Dr. Vince Redder, dean of the college of arts and humanities, declined to comment, but according to Novak, Redder is fluent in a number of languages. He has taught German, Italian and Latin.
URL: http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/3693646-dwu-bids-most-foreign-languages-adieu
MLA reports decreased language enrollment (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Lauren Budd
Publication: The Dartmouth
Date: 2/23/2015
Abstract: Though a recent Modern Language Association survey reported that 100,000 fewer college students enrolled in foreign language classes in 2013 compared to 2009 — while college enrollment rose by over 150,000 during the same period — Dartmouth professors and students remain confident in the strength and relevancy of their respective language programs and with the College’s foreign language enrollment as a whole.
The overall percentage drop marks the largest decrease since 1995, and the number of students enrolled in Spanish classes dropped by the largest number since the association began tracking language classes in 1958.
URL: http://thedartmouth.com/2015/02/23/mla-reports-decreased-language-enrollment/
Survey Shows a Decline in Enrollment of Foreign Languages (Media Coverage)
Author(s): anonymous
Publication: Day News
Date: 2/23/2015
Abstract: The Modern Language Association (MLA) has recently released a survey that was meant to measure the rate of enrollees for foreign languages at American universities and colleges. Survey results show that although there has been an increase in the enrollment of foreign languages since 2005, a decline from the years 2009 to 2013 has been noted.
URL: http://www.daynews.com/world/education/2015/02/survey-shows-a-decline-in-enrollment-of-foreign-languages-24610
New report shows decrease in college foreign language enrollment (Media Coverage)
Author(s): anonymous
Publication: Deseret News
Date: 5/11/2015
Abstract: A new report from the Modern Language Association shows a dramatic decrease in the number of college students enrolled in foreign language classes.
The Washington Post reported that 100,000 fewer students were enrolled in foreign language classes in 2013 than in 2009. The decrease in language enrollment was also present in popular language classes, such as Spanish, marking the first time since 1958 that enrollment in Spanish has fallen.
URL: http://national.deseretnews.com/article/3614/new-report-shows-decrease-in-college-foreign-language-enrollment.html
MLA Not Discouraged by Dip in Language Enrollments (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Catherine Morris
Publication: Diverse Education
Date: 2/12/2015
Abstract: Rosemary G. Feal, executive director of the Modern Language Association, said that the growing diversity of languages offered on campuses is “wonderfully encouraging.”
A new Modern Language Association (MLA) report shows a 6.7 percent decrease in total language enrollments on U.S. college campuses since the last survey in 2009.
URL: http://diverseeducation.com/article/69773/
MLA Survey Shows Language Study Declining (Media Coverage)
Author(s): anonymous
Publication: Education News
Date: 2/15/2015
Abstract: A report by the Modern Language Association of America (MLA) has found that the study of foreign languages is slowly declining.
“Enrollment in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education” was released by the (MLA), in which 26,000 members work in nearly 100 countries to strengthen the study and teaching of languages and literature. Even though total enrollments in languages other than English decreased since the last survey of MLA in 2009, several languages saw increasing enrollments, and especially in advanced language classes.
URL: http://www.educationnews.org/higher-education/mla-survey-shows-language-study-declining/
Associated Products
2013 Survey of Enrollments in Languages Other Than English (Report)Title: 2013 Survey of Enrollments in Languages Other Than English
Author: David Goldberg, Dennis Looney, and Natalia Lusin
Abstract: The language interests of students in US colleges and universities are continuing
to diversify, according to a comprehensive new report, Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013, released by the Modern Language Association of America (MLA). While total enrollments in languages other than English decreased since the MLA’s last survey in 2009, several languages saw increasing enrollments, and particularly growth in enrollments in advanced language classes.
The MLA report is the longest-running comprehensive analysis of the study of languages other than English at US colleges and universities; this is the twenty-third survey in the series. The report includes undergraduate and graduate course enrollments in languages other than English in fall 2013 for 2,616 AA-, BA-, MA-, and PhD-granting colleges and universities in the United States. Partial funding for the report came from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Security Educational Program.
Total language enrollments on US college campuses decreased by 6.7% between 2009 and 2013. But some languages—Korean, American Sign Language (ASL), Portuguese, and Chinese—showed higher enrollments. The sharpest percentage increase was in Korean enrollments, which rose at every institutional level between 2009 and 2013: 27.6% in two-year institutions, 45.3% in four-year institutions, and 86.6% in graduate programs. This growth in 2013 follows increases of 18.2% between 2006 and 2009 and 37.1% between 2002 and 2006. American Sign Language continued to experience strong growth, showing an increase of 19.0% in total enrollments, and was the language with the third most enrollments, displacing German, now fourth. Also up were enrollments in Portuguese (10.1%) and Chinese (2.0%).
Date: 02/28/2015
Primary URL:
http://www.mla.org/enrollments_surveysForeign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 08/24/2015
Conference Name: Vanderbilt University Invited Lecture
Fall 2013 Enrollments: MLA Survey and Report on Languages Other than English (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Fall 2013 Enrollments: MLA Survey and Report on Languages Other than English
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: A presentation of the results of the 2013 to an audience of Italianists with an emphasis on trends in Italian.
Date: 03/27/2015
Conference Name: American Association of Italian Studies
The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey: Trends, Using the Data, Programs that Work (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey: Trends, Using the Data, Programs that Work
Author: David Golberg and Dennis Looney
Abstract: How to use the data from the MLA 2013 Survey to make arguments that work for you?
Date: 06/27/1955
Conference Name: 2015 ADFL Summer Seminar West, San Jose' State University
Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Language Enrollment Trends / Trendy Languages
Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 09/16/2015
Conference Name: Florida State University Invited Lecture
Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Language Enrollment Trends / Trendy Languages
Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 10/08/2015
Conference Name: Temple University Invited Lecture
Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 10/31/2015
Conference Name: National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs
Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 11/20/2015
Conference Name: American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 02/11/2016
Conference Name: University of WIsconsin Invited Lecture
Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Foreign Language Enrollment Trends: The 2013 MLA Language Enrollment Survey
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 04/14/2016
Conference Name: University of Mississippi Invited Lecture
Global Languages at New York University (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Global Languages at New York University
Author: Rosemary G. Feal
Abstract: Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages? How do the enrollment trends at NYU match or contradict these national trends?
Date: 11/15/2015
Conference Name: New York University Invited Lecture
Language Trends, Trendy Languages: The MLA Perspective (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Language Trends, Trendy Languages: The MLA Perspective
Author: Rosemary G. Feal
Abstract: Since its release in February 2015, the MLA’s report Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in United States Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2013 has received coverage in the Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, and numerous university and regional outlets, as well as some international publications. While enrollments in language courses have increased 11.9% since 2002, the 2013 survey showed a decline of 6.7% since 2009—the year of the last survey. What does this most recent shift downward tell us about current trends in the study of languages in higher education? Are there new arguments to be made for the importance of learning a foreign language in a global economy? Which are the new trendy languages?
Date: 04/17/2015
Conference Name: Keynote Address, Conference on Language Across the Curriculum, Denison University
Enrollments in Languages Other than English: Roundtable Discussion at MLA Convention (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Enrollments in Languages Other than English: Roundtable Discussion at MLA Convention
Author: Dennis Looney, Modern Language Association
Author: Kirk Belnap, Brigham Young University
Author: Carol Costabile-Hemming, Univ of North Texas
Author: Malcolm Compitello, Univ of Arizona
Author: Heather Willis Allen, Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
Author: Ginger Marcus, Washington University
Author: Colleen Ryan, Indiana University
Author: Tom Garza, University of Texas, Austin
Abstract: Representatives from the most commonly taught languages (Spanish, French, Russian, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic) in United States institutions of higher education address the results of the MLA survey of language enrollments in fall 2013. Presenters consider enrollments on their home campuses in the light of national trends and discuss how data from the survey can be used to advocate language study.A public discussion guided by these questions:
1. Did national trends in 2013 reflect the situation on your campus? If your numbers contradicted the national trend in 2013, how do you explain this? How are your local numbers in fall 2015?
2. What are programs that show no drop in enrollments doing that could be shared with colleagues?
3. Is the difference between introductory and advanced enrollments on your campus and/or in your field noteworthy?
4. What do the numbers in graduate enrollments reveal about trends in graduate study on your campus and/or in your language?
5. Are there long term trends in your specific language area that are important to recognize?
6. How can data from the MLA survey be used to advocate for our field?
Date: 01/07/2016
Primary URL:
https://apps.mla.org/conv_listings_detail?prog_id=73&year=2016Primary URL Description: MLA archive on convention sessions from 2016
Conference Name: Modern Language Association Annual Convention, Austin, Texas, 2016
"The MLA Language Enrollment Survey: Where Does Italian Stand and Where Could it Go?" (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: "The MLA Language Enrollment Survey: Where Does Italian Stand and Where Could it Go?"
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: The round table includes presentations from experts in the field: Dennis Looney (Modern Language Association, Programs and ADFL Department) "The MLA Language Enrollment Survey: Where Does Italian Stand and Where Could it Go?" ; David Ward (Wellesley College): “News from New England: The October 1 State of the Discipline Event, a Report”; and Gabriella Romani (Associate Professor of Italian, Setan hall University, and elected member of COM.IT.ES, Consular District of Philadelphia): “What Can the COM.IT.ES Do to Promote Locally the Italian Language and Culture? Past Errors and Future Possibilities." The Consul General of New York Francesco Genuardi will give the introductory remarks.
Date: 11/15/2016
Conference Name: Invited lecture, Montclair State University
Trends in Language Enrollments in the US, 1958-2013 (Conference Paper/Presentation)Title: Trends in Language Enrollments in the US, 1958-2013
Author: Dennis Looney
Abstract: Presentation of MLA longitudinal data on enrollments across five decades.
Date: 09/08/2016
Conference Name: Invited lecture, Univ California, Berkeley, Language Resource Center