This article considers the merits of the Standards in preparing post-secondary FL students for their third and fourth year of language instruction by fostering learners' critical thinking skills and cultural awareness. The author addresses the need for accountability in higher education and the merits of the Standards in preparing students to apply their language skills in the workplace after graduation. The author further provides pedagogical solutions to meet the curricular needs for students in upper-division FL courses.#Outcomes #All5Cs #ClassroomExamples #Principalfocus #PolicyorAdministrative #All #Teachersandteaching #Postsecondary #JournalArticle #Curriculum #TheoriesandMethods