Describes a reactive focus on form task that was part of a university English-as-a-Foreign-Language oral presentation course. Students in the study were encouraged to focus on their oral output by taping and transcribing a rehearsal of their presentation. Describes the effect of this treatment by comparing the language of the rehearsal transcript…

Discusses the practice of paired testing of oral languages, noting the lack of published research evidence and of results from the monitoring of these tests to support their introduction into wider use. Questions whether paired testing is more effective than, and a valid alternative to, the more traditional candidate/examiner model. (SM)

Describes the development of an online course that aims to help tertiary students improve their English oral presentation skills. The course aims to allow learners to prepare their presentations out of class and then practice these skills in class with peer and teacher feedback. (Author/VWL)

This longitudinal study looks at the development of phonological skills among Brazilian students of English as a Foreign Language on a 4-year humanities course. Analyzed the influence of the first language on the development of these skills. Looks at one particular pronunciation feature (palatization) that has been found in the data. (Author/VWL)

A survey-interview exercise is described as it evolved through English-as-a-second-language students' efforts to develop better spoken language skills. The exercise provided students with experience in using spoken English in interaction, learning first-hand about local ideas and attitudes, and reflecting on and discussing the experience in the…

Describes the Speaking Test, which forms part of the revised First Certificate of English (FCE) examination of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. Discusses key revisions, including use of paired-testing format, and notes the role of the oral examiners. Considers why the new design provides improvements in the assessment of…

Presents the results of an investigation into the value of using drama in a Brazilian university classroom. Drawing on research on the advantages of using drama in language learning, the importance of reflection for promoting meaningful learning, and the effectiveness of portfolios as a tool to promote reflection, presents a case study of the use…

Responds to a previous article that discussed paired testing of oral languages and focused on the role of the examiners, suggesting that the paper was not necessarily correct in saying that the problems associated with paired testing are outweighed by its positive advantages. This paper argues that paired testing has many potential problems that…

Presents a case for teaching the pragmatic (discourse-based) features of English intonation to foreign students of English as a Second Language. Advocates a systematic approach to teaching these functions of English intonation through a consciousness-raising methodology that uses authentic academic oral texts. (25 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses research findings in relation to oral communication tasks in English. The article concludes that, although direct linkage between task type, language output, and language acquisition has not been established, informed pedagogic choices can be made using the concepts of control of information and communication goal. (22 references)…

A course in scientific English for science researchers and advanced civil engineering students in Belgium has a central problem--the heterogeneous nature of the group and lack of common research experience around which to build a curriculum. An attempt to overcome this difficulty by using two logical problems for discussion is presented. (MSE)

Investigates the use of computer conferencing in a second-language context with five English-for-Academic-Purposes students for the purposes of conducting discussions and introducing the students to writing as a process. Students dominated during discussions and received increased commentary on their writing; although the technology did not cause…