Because inexperienced or basic writers depend on the semantics of everyday spoken dialogue when writing, research on written composition and the developmental links between spoken and written language should be more accessible to the practitioners who teach writing to those students. A review of the literature supports the theory of a semantic…

Introduces an activity that simultaneously teaches oral expression and auditory comprehension. Groups in a class listen to an audio text that gives only incomplete information. The gaps are filled in by the group. Students are given worksheets. Presenting topics and work materials provides an integration of aural and oral skills. (IFS/WGA)

Presents insights that the Oral Proficiency Testing Program of the Foreign Service Institute can give writing teachers and focuses specifically on how these insights can help them to identify and articulate appropriate objectives for basic writing courses and to develop curricula appropriate to those objectives. (EL)

Discusses four British educational practices dealing with reading instruction, written language, copybooks, and oral language and how they differ from American practices. (HTH)

Describes an approach for dealing with the pronunciation of advanced ESL learners who may be relatively fluent but whose pronunciation remains quite inaccurate and highly resistant to change. Suggests a somewhat unorthodox teaching program that draws on research from several disciplines. (SL)

Essays discuss (1) a business communications class assignment in writing letters of commendation for products or services, (2) a heuristic approach to improving oral reports, and (3) a controlled walkthrough approach for analytical report writing. (HTH)

As the emphasis on global education continues to grow, students and teachers who are serious about hearing a second language on a routine basis should consider the acquisition of a shortwave radio. Broadcasts, edited with care and used creatively, have the potential of filling learner needs at various levels of instruction. (SL)

Considers the role of oral language in reading and its implications for the primary grades teacher. Provides a number of activities that integrate reading, speaking, listening, and writing. (FL)

Explains that the Teacher Rating of Oral Language and Literacy (TROLL) measures skills critical to the New Standards for Speaking and Listening. Notes that TROLL is used to track children's progress in language and literacy development; to inform curriculum; and to stimulate parent teacher communication. Concludes children who are busy talking,…

The assessment packet includes a series of oral tests to help develop speaking as an integral part of second language instruction at levels II and III. It contains: 8 mini-tests for use at level II; 9 mini-tests for use at level III; a rating scale and score sheet masters for evaluating performance on these tests; and a collection of suggested…

It is proposed that the target for teaching pronunciation in English as a Second Language must be the authentic, connected speech that is used by most native speakers, not an artificial and over-correct model too closely tied to the writing system, a different modality entirely. In English, this means learning the language's rhythmic patterns to…

Classroom techniques are offered for teaching students how to present a spontaneous (impromptu) speech in a second language, such as for use at a job interview or cocktail party. It is first suggested that such classroom activity be graded minimally to help lower students' level of apprehension. Then strategies for approaching impromptu speech…

Testing guidelines based on teachers' experience and on a review of literature concerning approaches to the testing of oral second language skills, are presented in this paper. Considerations in developing the test included coordination with the syllabus, choice of format, grading, and administration. Suggestions are offered from the practices of…

Recognizing the need for systematic teaching material on oral communication, this program offers a six-week oral communication curriculum for students in grades six through nine. Based on the recognition that oral communication is a process influenced by variables such as context (setting, audience, situation, topic, cultural norms) and function…

Arguing that talk has an important place in the English language arts curriculum and across the whole curriculum, this book presents examples of children and teachers talking together, talking about what they are doing "here and now," and talking about what they know and feel about events shaping the world beyond the classroom. Chapter…