Presents a series of proficiency-oriented classroom activities which are specifically linked to the skills and levels of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages proficiency guidelines. The activities are limited to speaking and writing and are organized by skill and by level. (SED)

This article describes a classroom project using one-to-one desktop videoconferencing to enhance the development of second language (1.2) oral skills. Eighteen university students worked collaboratively with expert speakers to complete task-based activities. The author gathered data from video-recording samples, reflections, and oral interviews to…

A review of the evolution of second-language immersion program testing reveals that the focus has shifted from listening and reading comprehension to productive skills of speaking and writing. Immersion students learn to speak and write well enough for communication but not well enough to be indistinguishable from native speakers. (MSE)

Use of dramatic activities in the foreign language classroom to provide a semantically based growth model focusing attention on the learner, to promote language acquisition, and to liberate speech is examined. The relationships between drama and communicative competence, the psychological and pedagogical advantages of dramatics, and classroom…

It is proposed that communicative approaches to second language instruction have neglected to provide students with some essential tools of speech, particularly pronunciation skills. The place of remedial phonetics within the new language teaching methods is examined, and a more rigorous approach to pronunciation instruction is recommended. (MSE)

The process and elements of the actor's involvement in mounting a theatrical production are outlined and discussed, including vocal development, selecting a piece, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and learning the part while working together onstage. Similar techniques may be used in foreign language learning activities. (MSE)

Describes French language class simulation activities, based on life inside a Parisian apartment building, that combine oral and written language practice. (MSE)

The Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) field continues to experience increased valuing of experiential practitioner knowledge. A welcome result of this evolution has been the broadening of research perspectives. The 16 practitioner narratives in "Insights on Teaching Speaking in TESOL" are written by…

Describes a series of courses, held at the Oxford University Language Teaching Centre, which were designed to improve the spoken English of overseas members of the University in academic seminars. The courses used a series of cassette recordings that featured authentic unscripted interviews with contemporary specialists and writers. (SED)

A class activity is described involving a panel discussion of the role of dogs in French culture and related issues of public administration such as animal protection laws. Panel members' roles (public officials, veterinarians, etc.), audience roles (dog owner, father of a bitten child, etc.), and followup activities are outlined. (MSE)

Through a three-part method (class presentation, quiz, and written summary), reading texts can be used to promote conversational and writing skills as well as reading. Variations on traditional techniques of oral presentation and written summary provide a basis for student dialog, an individualized approach to grammar review, and language…

Argues that oral grammar correction in second-language classrooms produces overwhelming problems both in making corrections and dealing with their harmful side effects, and that the practice should be discontinued. Research evidence suggests that oral correction does not improve learners' ability to speak grammatically, and no good reasons have…

The globalisation of English and a growing demand for good English-speaking skills in the job market in particular have been placing a greater emphasis on the teaching of English speaking skills in Bangladesh. The private universities emphasise developing English skills. It seems that students of public and private universities have the same level…

Communication strategies are defined and a brief inventory of strategies for learning and oral interaction in a foreign language instruction setting is provided. Learning strategies are viewed as methods for exploiting available information to increase the efficiency of second language learning. The integration of learning strategies into the…

A procedure for implementing a 24-day intensive language course that involves eight thematic lesson plans uses a 3-day cycle of instruction based on the Lozanov method. The classroom is organized to be as free as possible from typical classroom associations, using chairs in a semi-circle without tables or desks. The first 3 days are structured to…