Successful listening is a critical element of learning and performing in a new language. Second language teachers should include more listening activities in their class routines, and should consider a greater variety of formats and class organizational styles for those activities. The small-group format, not often used for listening activities,…

This teaching technique for the foreign language class is designed to encourage cooperation among students and distribute speaking time equally. Materials to be discussed are cut apart in jigsaw fashion, and students must work together speaking the second language to assemble the correct information. (CHK)

Some aural activities are described that can help language students with their listening comprehension. They include dictation, a "who am I?" exercise, sketch-drawing, chart completion, a comparison exercise, and a flow diagram. (LB)

Use of challenge questioning is an approach to stimulating classroom conversation in a foreign language. Students ask questions, based on a reading selection, whose answers are not clearly given in the text. The instructor or other students are challenged to respond, and spontaneous conversation is facilitated. (CHK)

This booklet, developed by England's Department for Education and Employment, provides information and teaching strategies to support the teaching of speaking and listening skills and develop confidence as speakers and listeners, by providing models, carefully planned activities and tasks that promote different kinds of talk and listening, and…

A technique is outlined which simultaneously checks students' aural and oral control of sounds and prosodies. Intended for intermediate and advanced students, the test consists of a number of minimal pairs which are read by different people while the others listen and note which of the alternatives they hear. (SW)

Use of classroom improvisations and role-playing can help the second language learner speak quickly, naturally, and spontaneously. The technique is discussed and illustrated. (CHK)

The workbook tapescripts reflect the contents of the tapes which accompany the Workbook of the Pashto Basic Course, Units 1-7. The tapescripts are intended to provide the teacher with a quick reference to the content of the laboratory exercises. They are not intended for use by the student. Lesson topics include information on the Pashtuns,…

A guide to the adaptation of oral proficiency testing for classroom language instruction contains excerpts of projects by participants in an American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) workshop. The excerpts are examples of proficiency based curricula and materials designed to personalize instruction and simulate real-life…

A set of supplemental materials for teaching grade 7 life sciences to beginning and intermediate students of English as a second language (ESL) includes an introductory section on teaching the ESL student and six instructional units. The introductory section discusses the special classroom needs and characteristics of the ESL student and provides…

This detailed curriculum guide describes a model program (the Preschool Hearing Impaired Support Center) implemented in the Detroit Public Schools' preprimary classes for the hearing impaired. The auditory-oral approach is based on the developmental philosophy of Jean Piaget and on principles of regular early childhood education programs. Section…