Providing both a rationale and a syllabus for a basic course in communication skills for college students training to be teachers, this paper explains why such elements as training in audiovisual aids and writing instruction were left out of the basic course and placed in elective courses. It then presents a detailed discussion of the topics…

Intended as a curriculum development aid for speech communication instructors, this paper provides an outline model for basic speech competencies. The first section of the outline offers approaches to the basic speech communication course, including traditional versus competency-based approaches to education, and presents the three dimensions of a…

The following papers relevant to second language instruction are compiled here: (1) "The Three Most Critical Issues in Foreign-Language Education Today," by Lorraine A. Strasheim; (2) "A Bird's Eye View of Bilingualism in Canada," by Chavarche Tchalekian; (3) "'...To Educate the Multi-Faceted and Harmoniously Developed…

This analysis of argumentation considers three separate, yet interrelated, aspects of the persuasive argument: evidence, warrant, and claim. A study of each of these components is presented in separate chapters with an examination of the role and standards each must carry out in formulating sound, logical proof. A classification of types of…

In the speech communication classroom, values clarification activities can be used as motivational techniques and as methods for teaching interpersonal communication skills. Learning to use communication skills can be a values-clarifying process in itself and can occur in speech areas viewed as primarily cognitive: argumentation, persuasion,…

This paper summarizes research comparing the effectiveness of different methods of instruction, research findings relevant to an interaction between student characteristics and method of instruction in producing student success, and speech communication research relevant to predicting student success with a given method of instruction. Original…

A method of testing student pronunciation involves recording a poem. Students transcribe the words they mispronounced in phonetic script and have it checked by the tutor. The phonetics tutorial is required by first-year students majoring in English who are not native speakers. (SW)

A teacher describes an intensive Spanish course and the methods used to create the kind of exposure to total culture a student would have visiting a Spanish country. Pronunciation and speaking are practiced through use of songs, records, tapes, and poetry; students write essays; and language and culture are interrelated. (CHK)

Presents research rating the speaking proficiency on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language Oral Proficiency Interview of 40 college French students at four different levels of study. The data show a significant, positive relationship between level of proficiency and level of study. (Author/CB)

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)

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)

These three issues contain educational activities and articles on the following topics: education for the future; learning about learning; readers' responses to requests for suggested article and activity topics; tools and techniques (revisiting the one-question interview, learning students' names, and getting to know one another); multi-level…

Basic reading, writing, and speaking skills of prospective teachers (N=106) were examined to determine if reliable/valid instruments existed to screen these skills, judge performance on the instruments, and determine if performance differed by subject area and sex. Indicated skills can be reliably/validly assessed with instruments currently…

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 use of a satellite TV "reportage" in a post A-level French language laboratory, and outlines follow-up speaking activities in two small-group classes. The "reportage" helped improve students' comprehension levels, provided speaking opportunities in different contexts, introduced French legal terms, and informed…