1887
image of A century of foreign language requirements at Texas Tech University
USD
Buy:$35.00 + Taxes

Abstract

The decline of foreign language enrollments in U.S. higher education reflects broader structural, pedagogical, and policy-driven challenges, particularly amid the increasing prioritization of STEM fields and workforce-oriented curricula. Using Texas Tech University (TTU) as a case study, this study examines the historical evolution of undergraduate foreign language requirements from 1925 to 2026. National trends are contextualized alongside TTU-specific data, illustrating structural pressures on enrollment and foreign language programs development. The study further analyzes strategic responses implemented by its Chinese program. Evidence indicates that the strategies enhance accessibility, professional relevance, and student engagement, resulting in sustained enrollment growth. The findings suggest that deliberate, multi-level interventions can effectively stabilize language programs, offering an example for resilient and sustainable foreign language programs within large public universities.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/csl.00085.wan
2026-07-11
2026-08-16
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. ACTFL
    ACTFL (2017) America’s languages: Investing in language education for the 21st century. https://www.amacad.org/sites/default/files/publication/downloads/Commission-on-Language-Learning_Americas-Languages.pdf
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Altbach, P. G., & Knight, J.
    (2007) The internationalization of higher education: Motivations and realities. Journal of Studies in International Education, (), –. 10.1177/1028315307303542
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315307303542 [Google Scholar]
  3. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
    American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (2019) Making languages our business: Addressing foreign language demand among U.S. employers. https://www.languageconnectsfoundation.org/uploads/files/general/MakingLanguagesOurBusiness_FullReport.pdf
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Barski, E.
    (2019) Making the most of general education foreign language requirements. Foreign Language Annals, (), –. 10.1111/flan.12417
    https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12417 [Google Scholar]
  5. Blake, R. J.
    (2011) Brave new digital classroom: Technology and foreign language learning. Georgetown University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Byram, M.
    (2020) Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence: Revisited. Multilingual Matters.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Caldwell, W.
    (2007) Taking Spanish outside the box: A model for integrating service learning into foreign language study. Foreign Language Annals, (), –.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Deardorff, D. K.
    (2006) Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, (), –. 10.1177/1028315306287002
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315306287002 [Google Scholar]
  9. Engle, J., & Tinto, V.
    (2008) Moving beyond access: College success for low-income, first-generation students. The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED504448.pdf
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Fox, R., Corretjer, O., & Webb, K.
    (2019) Benefits of foreign language learning and bilingualism: An analysis of published empirical research 2012–2019. Foreign Language Annals, (), –. 10.1111/flan.12424
    https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12424 [Google Scholar]
  11. Furman, N., Goldberg, D., & Lusin, N.
    (2010) Enrollments in languages other than English in United States institutions of higher education, Fall 2009. Modern Language Association of America.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Ginsberg, B.
    (2011) The fall of the faculty: The rise of the all-administrative university and why it matters. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. 10.1093/oso/9780199782444.001.0001
    https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199782444.001.0001 [Google Scholar]
  13. Grgurović, M.
    (2011) Blended learning in an ESL class: A case study. CALICO Journal, (), –. 10.11139/cj.29.1.100‑117
    https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.29.1.100-117 [Google Scholar]
  14. Hunter, B., White, G. P., & Godbey, G. C.
    (2006) What does it mean to be globally competent?. Journal of Studies in International education, (), –. 10.1177/1028315306286930
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315306286930 [Google Scholar]
  15. Li, C., & Wei, L.
    (2025) The enhancement of creativity through foreign language learning: Do personality traits matter?. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, (), –. 10.1017/S1366728924000476
    https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728924000476 [Google Scholar]
  16. Lusin, N., Bunk, J., & Gonsalves, L.
    (2023) Enrollments in languages other than English in United States institutions of higher education, Fall 2021. Modern Language Association of America. https://www.mla.org/Resources/Research/Surveys-Reports-and-Other-Documents/Teaching-Enrollments-and-Programs/Enrollments-in-Languages-Other-Than-English-in-United-States-Institutions-of-Higher-Education
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Morrison, W. M.
    (2019) China’s economic rise: History, trends, challenges, and implications for the United States (CRS Report No. RL33534). Congressional Research Service. https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25354905/20190625_RL33534_088c5467dd11365dd4ab5f72133db289fa10030f.pdf
    [Google Scholar]
  18. National Research Council
    National Research Council (2007) International education and foreign languages: Keys to securing America’s future. The National Academies Press. 10.17226/11841
    https://doi.org/10.17226/11841 [Google Scholar]
  19. Nuñez, A.-M., & Cuccaro-Alamin, S.
    (1998) First-generation students: Undergraduates whose parents never enrolled in postsecondary education (NCES 98–082). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs98/98082.pdf
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Rios-Font, W. C.
    (2017) Proficiency or exposure? Rethinking foreign language requirements within college curriculum reviews. Hispania, (), –. 10.1353/hpn.2017.0002
    https://doi.org/10.1353/hpn.2017.0002 [Google Scholar]
  21. Saiz, A., & Zoido, E.
    (2005) Listening to what the world says: Bilingualism and earnings in the United States. The Review of Economics and Statistics, (), –. 10.1162/0034653054638256
    https://doi.org/10.1162/0034653054638256 [Google Scholar]
  22. Scida, E. E., & Saury, R. E.
    (2006) Hybrid courses and their impact on student and departmental success: A case study. The Modern Language Journal, (), –.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Slaughter, S., & Rhoades, G.
    (2004) Academic capitalism and the new economy: Markets, state, and higher education. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Sy, S. R., & Romero, J.
    (2008) Family responsibilities among Latina college students from immigrant families. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, (), –. 10.1177/1538192708316208
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192708316208 [Google Scholar]
  25. Texas Tech University
    Texas Tech University. (n.d.). History and traditions. Texas Tech University. https://www.ttu.edu/traditions/history.php
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Texas Tech University
    Texas Tech University. (n.d.-a). Academics. Texas Tech University. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/admissions/academics/
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Texas Tech University
    Texas Tech University. (n.d.-b). About. Texas Tech University. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/about/
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Texas Tech University
    Texas Tech University (2025) College Profiles — Enrollment. RetrievedOctober 10, 2025fromhttps://www.depts.ttu.edu/irim/CollegeProfiles/IR_Enrollment_Tab.php
    [Google Scholar]
  29. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
    The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education (2025) Texas Tech University. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institution/texas-tech-university/#
    [Google Scholar]
  30. The Texas Tech University System
    The Texas Tech University System. (n.d.). About TTU System. Texas Tech University System. https://www.texastech.edu/about.php
    [Google Scholar]
  31. U.S. Census Bureau
    U.S. Census Bureau (2026, January8). Top trading partners — October 2025. U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/highlights/topcm.html
    [Google Scholar]
  32. U.S. Department of State
    U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). Foreign language training. https://www.state.gov/national-foreign-affairs-training-center/foreign-language-training
    [Google Scholar]
  33. U.S. News & World Report
    U.S. News & World Report (2025) 2026 Best Colleges rankings. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Welles, E. B.
    (2004) Foreign language enrollments in United States institutions of higher education, Fall 2002. ADFL Bulletin, (), –. https://apps.mla.org/pdf/enrollments.pdf. 10.1632/074069504X26458
    https://doi.org/10.1632/074069504X26458 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/csl.00085.wan
Loading
/content/journals/10.1075/csl.00085.wan
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error