JOHN W. BOYER
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54 percent over this period). That is an increase of 508 additional students in language classrooms. Over the same period College enrollment overall was up about 7 percent, so enrollment in foreign-language courses is clearly running ahead of the growth curve. The increase in foreign-language enrollments reflects in part a national trend in higher education, but it is also attributable to our own efforts to encourage language learning at a higher level. We have aggressively promoted foreign-language courses to our first-year students with summer mailings; we have offered Foreign Language Acquisition Grants (nearly ninety in the summer of 2004) and research grants for advanced language students; we established the Advanced Foreign Language Proficiency Certificate Program; and we have greatly expanded the range of academically sound foreign-study opportunities available to our students. The results of all these efforts have been dramatic not only in terms of simple course enrollments but also in reshaping on-campus attitudes about international education. International study, including the study of languages abroad, is now recognized as an essential part of our curriculum, and it is a much sought after opportunity among our students. Our civilizationabroad courses are an innovative way to provide cross-cultural learning experiences and to motivate serious advanced language study. As generaleducation courses, the civilization-abroad courses are an integral part of the curriculum, not a mere add-on, and because they are taught intensively in a single quarter, they are accessible to students in all fields. Because the courses take place in situ, they also serve as powerful motivators to students to continue on with their language learning. Our new Center in Paris will be a crucial part of our endeavors in international education, and I am pleased to report that the center enjoyed a successful opening year. Courses offered last year (and to be offered again this year) included European civilization courses in French
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