research

Among the many ideas explored, the action agenda focuses on five primary areas:

• National Research Agenda
  

Activities: Gather together a base of what has been done; examine essential questions for various audiences; prepare researchers to address issues; describe characteristics of a variety of research paradigms; identify funding sources; communicate research results.

• Expanded Vision of Research
  

Activities: Develop research education program for all levels of foreign language educators; encourage collaborative projects/models; solicit research questions from stakeholders; promote the value of a variety of research approaches and evaluate on the basis of differentiated criteria.

• National Clearinghouse for Foreign/Second Language Research
  

Activities: Develop searchable data set of research materials; encourage use of data
set within and beyond the profession; survey available research to find gaps;
identify active researchers for a network.

• Collaboration in Research
  

Activities: Create a mentoring system; establish incentives for interdisciplinary
research; provide pre-/in-service opportunities to learn about research; revisit
academic alliances; investigate collaboration via technologies; create a research
culture among undergraduates; disseminate results; pursue funding sources.

• Improve Dissemination and Access
  

Activities: Create a community of inquiry; disseminate to wider audiences; make
research accessible to foreign language educators at all levels; integrate research into professional development.