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The decline is first and foremost due to a lack of need. French was always taken (at least among my peers in school growing up) with a view to travel to Europe, or even parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia. With English being taught practically globally, the shift has been from us learning their language to them learning ours.

Also consider that Spanish is by far and away the number one language elected by students today, and with good reason. Someone on here has already pointed out the staggering statistics for the Spanish speaking population growth in America, add to that the increased needs for bilingual workers in all aspects of business, increased trade with Mexico and all the countries of Latin America, and you see the need is far greater than that of French.

Finally, a smaller degree but one that is nonetheless present, is the recent increase in anti-French thinking. A kid doesn't want to learn the language of what is perceived to be a losing team of whining, wine-swilling cheese eaters. When in fact nothing could be further from the truth. But it is there and I have seen it firsthand.

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