Changing Practice: Impact of a National Institute on Foreign Language Teacher Preparation for the K‐6 Level of Instruction

Abstract

Abstract: The almost 10% increase in elementary school foreign language programs in the United States in the past 10 years has resulted in a serious shortage of professionally prepared teachers for these programs. This study investigates the impact of a national institute on effecting change in the number of colleges and universities that prepare elementary school foreign language teachers. The institute provides professional preparation in early language education to teacher educators throughout the nation. Results of survey instruments and telephone interviews with the teacher educator participants indicate that the number of sites that prepare teachers for the early level of instruction did increase and that the institute resulted in many additional positive benefits. The profession is encouraged to work together to address the foreign language teacher shortage at the elementary school level to avoid repeating the crisis of the 1950s and 1960s.