A technique adopted for a course in advanced conversation in English as a second language used a combination of writing, acting, and self-monitoring activities to teach a variety of culturally valuable skills: narration, expression of opinion, and discussion of common issues in culturally sensitive ways. Students write plays as a group about…

While the lecture method of instruction is a good way to transmit facts and information, techniques that actively involve the ego of the learner are preferable for affecting attitudes and/or developing conceptual skills. One family of such techniques is known as simulation techniques. Two methods widely used in industry and colleges are role…

Describes an eight-week model role-play project applicable to second language classes on secondary, college, and adult levels. The project was found to result in a greater variety in the students' acquired vocabulary, improved written work, enriched cultural knowledge, and an unusual classroom atmosphere. (Author/SED)

Describes using drama to provide constant scaffolding as children learn to write stories. The 5-week process begins with collaboratively setting the stage, proceeds with scaffolding for reviewing the elements of stories (punctuation, the sequence of events, characterization, the plot problem and solution), and concludes with independent projects…

Describes the "social action theater" approach to diversity training in colleges and universities. The method uses one-act plays to present diversity issues in a way that creates conflict among characters and promotes audience discussion. Issues in using social-action theater are examined, including benefits, determining level of campus…

Selected proceedings are presented from the Fifth Annual Conference on Undergraduate Teaching of Psychology. The proceedings includes: (1) "Multimodal Self-Management: A Holistic Approach to Teaching Self-Improvement," by Edward J. O'Keefe and Donna Berger; (2) "Undergraduate Research: Statistics to Senior Presentations," by Glena L. N. Schubarth;…

This document contains six papers relating to the teaching of English as a foreign language. The titles and authors are as follows: "The Fail-Safe Micro Research Paper" (Mary Anne Saunders); "Is Role Playing an Effective EFL Teaching Technique?" (Frances L. Smith); "Research on the Cloze Procedure of Reading Comprehension and Its Use in the EFL…

One of the most difficult tasks business and professional communication teachers face is teaching students to appreciate cultural differences and their effects on business communication, both domestically and internationally. Students from a homogeneous background may dismiss or disparage cultural differences. Some classroom exercises can help…

This pamphlet on using various learning tools is the sixth of 16 in a series to provide leaders in adult activities with sound introductory material to give practical help in using a method of adult education or working in a particular area. Its objective is to help leaders improve their methods of teaching. Ten articles and how-tos are included.…

Interactive drama, a simplified form of drama, is a vehicle through which children can become involved with literature. When preservice teachers are presented with interactive drama in a college setting, it serves as an introduction to the simple, effective learning experiences available through informal drama activities. In an interactive drama,…

Two activities for grades 3 through 8 explore species adaptation and forestry issues in the North American rainforests. In one activity, students create imaginary species of plants or animals that are adapted for life in an ancient temperate rainforest. In the second activity, students role play groups affected by plans to log an area of the…

Five ideas for English-as-a-Second-Language classroom activities are described, including a geography pronunciation drill, a project in which students design retail stores, a real-life business role-playing exercise, student-designed coats of arms, and use of prizes for student motivation, followed by prize-related assignments. (MSE)

The manual is designed to be used in workshops to train English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers and contains a series of exercises for teaching oral skills from dialogues to pronunciation, with some practice in listening comprehension included. An introductory section contains notes to workshop participants and facilitators. The exercises are…

Classroom use of role-playing in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction in Japan is described. The purpose is to improve students' verbal and nonverbal communication skills and to link and use previously built schema, in both structured and improvised situations. Units designed around a short listening passage, a short reading passage, and…

Continues an article from an earlier issue that reported on a study of memorable social studies activities experienced by college students when they were in elementary schools. Finds that activity-oriented instruction was remembered most positively. (CFR)