Survival Strategies: LCTLs in Context

• Main Author: Marilyn S. Manley
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages 2008-01-01
• Series: Journal of the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages
• Subjects: Survival Strategies; LCTL; Quechua; curriculum; foriegn language
• Online Access: http://www.ncolctl.org/files/Survival-Strategies-LCTLs-in-context.pdf

This paper explores an example of successful curriculum de-velopment and methodology for the study of the Quechua language at the university level. This recipe for success falls in line with rec-ommendations made by the MLA Ad Hoc Committee on Foreign Languages, as expressed in their May 2007 report, “Foreign Lan-guages and Higher Education: New Structures for a Changed World”, and may be applied to the case of other LCTLs. This paper argues that, while the MLA’s report was intended for a general audi-ence of foreign language educators, its recommendations are especial-ly vital to the study of the less commonly taught languages. Among the many recommendations included in the report, two in particular stand out as being most essential to the survival of the LCTLs. These are an increase in interdisciplinary courses and inter-departmental alliances as well as a greater integration of cultural study in foreign language teaching.