Describes several activities that can be used to fill short periods of class time to give language students extra language practice. Activities include generating word lists, sentences, questions, clue-words, 20 questions, hangman. All require no advance preparation. (BK)

Describes teaching methods using videotape recorder in which students are taped acting out dialogs. Then tapes are shown to, analyzed, and evaluated by the class. Finally, students write an essay on one aspect of the tape. (BK)

Believes current audiolingual approach to foreign language teaching lacks opportunities for spontaneous speech. Author shows why this is and offers suggestions such as oral exercises and games to compensate. (Author/BK)

Illustrates use of the vocabulary-in-context and the question-and-answer exercises to enhance reading and understanding of literary texts for advanced high school second language classes. Suggests these exercises prepare students to progress from written exercises to the teacher's oral presentations to classroom discussions. (Author/BK)

Describes Audio-Lectal Practice, a technique which offers systematic and controlled practice in connected discourse while emphasizing oral discourse features of rhythm, tempo, pausing, and suprasegmental patterns. Students listen to, read along with, and imitate recorded texts concurrently. Such practice facilitates oral fluency in the target…

Outlines an oral interview format and scoring system for use with foreign language students during their first and second semesters of language study. (EKN)

Describes how, through pantomime, language learners can be encouraged to participate orally in classroom activities without feeling the pressure of having to perform. This technique requires the teacher to act out simple situations before the class while the students work together to interpret his/her gestures. (Author/MES)

Presents the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language Chinese Proficiency Guidelines, detailing stages of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. (CB)

The Columbus, Ohio, Public Schools Level I Foreign Language Oral Assessment Project is reported. Using a small-group or team approach, the oral production of large numbers of students can be evaluated quickly and efficiently with brief, real-life examples from the body of tasks students have previously been assigned. (18 references) (Author/LB)

A college advanced speaking course designed with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines is described. Students prepared and performed many communicative tasks, including narrating, describing, hypothesizing, supporting an opinion, debating, and interviewing for a job. Other components include pair and small-group work, audio and videotaping, and pre-…

A Lehigh University project to develop interactive video materials for use in upper-level Russian language courses is reported. Russian film clips on laser disc are used to improve writing and speaking skills, stimulate students' critical thinking, and encourage students' collaborative learning. (Contains 23 references.) (Author/LB)