美国外语政策及其理念的研究是制订美国汉语传播政策的基石。本文通过回顾国际重大历史事件对美国外语教育改革和外语政策的影响,揭示美国语言意识形态(language ideology)和政府主导的语言政治,从中透视出美国实用主义的外语政策本质和特性。文章详细分析近10年来美国汉语政策的重大改变给汉语传播创造的有利条件,以及当前金融危机给汉语传播带来的良机,提出应加强政府主导,推动汉语在美国的传播。 The study of American foreign language policy and its concept is the cornerstone of formulating the American Chinese communication policy. By reviewing the impact of major international historical events on the reform of foreign language education in the United States and its foreign language policies, this article reveals the language ideology of the United States and the government-led language politics, revealing the nature and characteristics of the foreign language policy of American pragmatism. The article analyzes in detail the favorable conditions for the major changes in the Chinese language policy in the past 10 years and the opportunities brought by the current financial crisis to the Chinese language. It proposes that the government should take the lead and promote the spread of Chinese in the United States.