The article is based on an empirical project that explored linguistic and educational needs from 1990 till 1992 for future Europe. The matter of discussion attends to the question whether 'action-oriented' foreign language teaching taking place between the constraints of the pluralistic society, the pedagogic freedom of the teacher and the demands, needs and interests of the pupil is a vicious circle or not. Therefore the multifarious conditions of language teaching are focussed. The following spheres are pointed out ...