Innovation in Language Learning

Since the global world will affect American policy directions in the 21st century, it is imperative to increase the number of American citizens that are linguistically and culturally advanced in languages, especially those considered critical by national security education organizations within the United States. Lantolf and Sunderman (2001) state there are four basic reasons espoused by students for studying foreign languages at the college level: a) national security, b) utilitarian reasons, c) humanistic benefits and d) intellectual development. This current study profiles the recent trends and numbers of more and less commonly taught language (LCTL) students in the US, and shares the quantitative data about the less commonly taught language students at a university’s intensive summer language program. The quantitative results are presented in four groups: a) profile of less commonly taught language students, b) motivations to learn a less commonly taught language, c) learning goals and expectations for reaching those goals, and d) future goals of the students. Suggestions for making LCTLs sustainable and strategies benefiting language instructors and program administrators are provided.