Meta communication plays a key role in foreign language learning and teaching. Broadly speaking, meta communication is communication about communication. Meta communication is something that goes beyond communication and all language learners and teachers should be familiar with its existence. It should be stressed that meta communication which accompanies any message is very powerful. In face to face writing lessons, the student can make emphasis on any point by utilizing larger fonts, capital letters, or bold fonts in his essay.

The costs and benefits of investing in new, multimedia technology for teaching languages are examined, looking at one recent grant-based Australian project for instructional development in German on CD-ROM. Limitations are discussed, including limited expertise, labor and equipment costs, need for flexible delivery, and cost-effectiveness of instructional development for languages with low demand. (MSE)