Current best practices in foreign language teaching recognize the roles of input and interaction in the acquisition of a second language. Input can be defined as the language that a student hears (or reads) that contains a message to which she or he is expected to attend, and interaction can be described as any conversational (or written) exchange in which the student must communicate with one or more partners. Providing ample opportunities for exposure to input and encouraging student interaction in the target language are at the core of successful learning in the foreign language classroom.

Another consideration for the foreign language teacher is the mission statement of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which states: “At the core of a liberal arts education are research and informed engagement with global issues, multiculturalism, and diverse experiences; these goals represent our greatest hope for a better understanding of differences in the human condition and the potential for enhanced tolerance.” The foreign language classroom is uniquely positioned to engage KU students in the endeavor to become informed citizens of our global community. It can do this by fostering exploration of the cultural realities of the peoples who speak the language being studied and encouraging students to reflect on their own cultural experiences and practices.

Successful foreign language teaching and learning can make use of a wide variety of approaches and practices while keeping these fundamental goals in focus. Based on the experience of foreign language faculty members, several factors can improve the experience for teachers and students: