The NFLC hosts a discussion forum to address foreign language planning and to examine how the United States can meet the growing requirements in this area. This forum resulted in an op-ed piece in the Washington Post, “Scaling the Language Barrier.”

“Expanding the Vision of Foreign Language Education:Enter the Less Commonly Taught Languages,” an NFLC occasional paper, is published by A. Ronald Walton to advocate a broadened focus for world language education in the United States.

“Foreign Language Planning in the United States,” an NFLC occasional paper, is published by Richard Lambert, arguing for more centralized policy-making decisions in US language education.

The National Security Education Act is passed. The National Security Education Program and Boren Fellowships are created to support students in the advanced study of critical languages and the National Security Education Program (NSEP) started operation.

Richard Lambert and Sarah J. Moore edit a special issue of The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science entitled “Foreign Language in the Workplace.”

The National Council of Organizations of Less Commonly Taught Languages is established under the auspices of the NFLC with support from the Ford Foundation.

The first national Language Resource Centers are established under Title VI in response to the growing national need for expertise in foreign languages. These centers develop language curricula, conduct research into language instruction and learning, and provide teacher development training.

Eastern European and central Asian nations gain their independence from the Soviet Union. The fall of the Iron Curtain creates the need for fourteen new languages to be taught to American foreign service officers.

The Foreign Language Assistance Act is passed, and a grant program for support of innovative K–12 language education is created.

The first Center for Business and International Education is established. Later named Centers for International Business Education and Research when they are incorporated into Title VI programs.