Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1977

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Cook, Joseph B.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate trends in foreign language programs in commmity/junior colleges in Florida. Most of the data were obtained by sending questionnaires to each of the twenty-eight commnunity/junior colleges in Florida. One questionnaire was sent to each academic dean and one to the chairperson of each department of foreign languages. Complete data were obtained from sixteen cnmmnunity colleges. The findings were the following: foreign language enrollment as percentage of the total enrollment was decreasing in fourteen out of the sixteen participating colleges. Spanish was the dominant language with 56 percent of the total foreign language enrollment; French was second, German third, Italian fourth, and Russian fifth. French and German enrollments were declining, Spanish, Russian, and Italian enrollments were increasing. A study of course offerings showed that transfer needs of students seemed to be met but that only fifty percent of the sixteen colleges offered vocational courses, courses in continuing education, and community education in foreign languages. The study included a survey of the qualifications and teaching load of foreign language instructors. These instructors seemed to be academically well-qualified and experienced. The recommendations were the following: foreign language departments in each commnunity college should assess the foreign language related needs of the student population as well as those of the surrounding community. Since transfer needs seemed to be already met, more vocational courses and courses in commnunity education and continuing education should be developed. These programs would have to be "sold" and not merely offered to students and members of the community. A promising development was the growing involvement in international education of community colleges in Florida as well as in the rest of the United States.

Extent

133 p.

Comments

Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.|College of Education|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.

Identifier

FADT11700

Format

pdf

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