The 26 papers in this compilation focus on integrated communication instruction. The papers are arranged into four categories: the integrated curriculum, theory and practice on integration, implementation of the integrated curriculum, and the integrated curriculum beyond the classroom. Specific topics discussed in the papers include (1) language…

Fifteen basic skills improvement projects in Wisconsin school districts are described. These projects are federally funded (through the Elementary Secondary Education Act Title II) and are limited to adoptions or adaptations of programs which proved to be successful in other school districts. Basic skills are identified as reading, mathematics,…

Intended as an introduction to the problem of conducting an in-depth examination of speech behavior, this manual is based upon the findings of recent research and on developments in speech analysis. The seven chapters discuss the following: a rationale for evaluating speech habits, the role of listening in the analysis of speech habits,…

The national Language Development Project in Australia, an undertaking concerned with informing teachers on matters to do with language, language development, and language and learning, is described in this report. The various sections of the report establish the project's purposes; offer discussions of developments in thinking and research of the…

This bibliography includes materials for educators who are concerned with assessment of basic speaking and listening skills and is categorized as follows: (1) speech rating scales; (2) listening; (3) functional communication; (4) bilingual education; (5) reviews of tests and instruments; (6) materials on practices in states and local districts;…

Many teachers hesitate to integrate film into English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classrooms because of the uncertainty of the educational efficacy of viewing an entire film in class and the motivational value of the repeated use of short film clips. However, both short film clips and longer films can be used in class to motivate ESL students and…

Reviewed 45 assessment instruments with respect to content domains, response and scoring procedures, administrative feasibility, target populations, and potential sources of test bias. Identified priorities for future research and development in communication competence testing. (PD)

In 1979, the state of Massachusetts identified 11 listening and 14 speaking skills as part of a basic skills program in elementary/secondary schools. The authors were asked to recommend methods of assessing these skills. The article summarizes their decision process and includes the recommendations. (PD)

This study of 461 Colorado students (ages 7-18) with deafness or partial hearing investigated the students' psychoeducational development by age and hearing loss, including syntactic comprehension and production, reading comprehension, social maturity, speech intelligibility, and math calculation skills. Traditional standardized measures of…

The manual development of 148 blind, visually impaired, and visually impaired multi-handicapped students, aged 3-19, was studied. Results indicated a significant relationship between object manipulation and speech, and an inverse relationship between object manipulation and stereotypic hand mannerisms. Optimal development of manual functions and…

The assessment packet presented is a draft of a test designed for use with beginning level students of a second/foreign language in the Columbus (Ohio) public schools. It focuses on speaking skills and attempts to test only what students can be expected to say, realistically. The packet consists of: nine mini-tests for use at regular intervals…

Reported here is a two-year study of the use of a speech-output communication device, coupled with naturalistic language intervention, to facilitate language development of school-age children with severe mental retardation. Subjects were 13 children. The first section (chapters 1-4) outlines a conceptual framework for the project, gives an…

Most at-risk students do not know how to read, speak, or write, and those who know how, frequently elect not to. The problem for educators is thus two-fold, motivating the student to become engaged in the literary process and helping the teacher to engender such engagement. Music may be one way of fostering this engagement. A literature review…

Intended for administrators and policymakers as well as teachers, this digest explores methods of listening and speaking skills assessment. The digest first provides a rationale for teaching and assessing listening and speaking skills. It then examines definitions of oral communication and listening, noting (1) the trend toward defining oral…

"Sounds of Language" is a background course to provide elementary and secondary school students with a greater understanding of how language works. The course is designed to (1) introduce students to the variations of sounds and structure of many foreign languages, (2) teach study habits that are vital to successful foreign language learning, and…