Our college does not require a foreign language. Liberal arts
requires proficiency in a foreign language.

I hadn't really thought about it until this discussion, but I think I
think that it is more important to require students in
international business to go abroad to a non-English speaking country
and study there (even if in English) than it is to require them to
study a specific foreign language for the two years or so at the
lower division that it takes to be good in it. Think of it this way:
One can study a foreign language to meet a language requirement, and
never get into it (as many of us know firsthand). But it is not
possible to stay abroad very long without concluding that it is a
mistake to fail to study a foreign language and at least try to learn
it. Basically, language study is a skill -- like learning to type or
ride a bicycle -- and most people can set out to learn a language
like they set out to learn anything else. It takes lots of time and
effort, but it can be done. The important variable is the motivation.

Reactions?

Ginny