To provide a context for dictionary selection, the vocabulary behavior of students is examined. Distinguishing between written and spoken English, the relation between dictionary use, classroom vocabulary behavior, and students' success in meeting their communicative needs is discussed. The choice of a monolingual English learners' dictionary is…

Because of a lack of preparation, student visits to France are likely to be unproductive in acquiring competence in spoken French. Non-linguistic factors are important here: the student should build up a circle of acquaintances to learn more quickly the differences between spoken and written French. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

In three studies, profoundly hearing-impaired children received speech training using a computerized, physiologically based system in which glossometry or palatometry measures were displayed. Overall, results suggest that visually based speech training is a feasible alternative to traditional auditorily based training. (Author/JDD)

Empathic listening is a specific category of listening in which people actively engage in dialogue at the affective level, with the listener attempting to understand and acknowledge the present feelings being experienced by the speaker. Since empathic listening is central to human communication processes, any speech communication curriculum which…

The purpose of teacher feedback in the speech classroom is to inform the speaker of the audience's reaction to the speech, to make suggestions for improvement on future speeches, and to motivate the speaker to speak again or to enjoy speaking. To provide appropriate criticism, teachers need to understand the nature and the relative merits of…

Examines the potential usefulness of various procedures employed to measure the adaptation in frequency rate of fluency failure, adaptation in temporal rate of speech, and automated analysis of on-off speech patterns in differentiating stuttering from cluttering. (SCC)

Describes an experiment at Birkbeck College, University of London, designed to encourage the spontaneous, uninhibited use of French by students. (PMP)

Many educational institutions are currently attempting to improve their attention to speaking and listening in curriculum and instruction, and this guide is intended to assist educators to become more knowledgeable about tools for assessing speaking and listening. Designed for those somewhat knowledgeable in the areas of assessment and language…

A student's fear of giving oral reports and the instructor's objection to using too much class time on oral reports are often seen as the major barriers that prevent an oral communication unit from being included in a business or management communications course. One approach to easing both concerns is the use of videotaping as a self-discovery…

Noting that the ethics of forensics is a complicated and controversial subject, this paper outlines some of the issues that should be addressed in preparing codes of ethics. The following issues are discussed: (1) the nature of professional ethics; (2) the functions of an ethics code; (3) approaches to ethical systems in forensics; (4) standards…

Twenty years of research in interpersonal communication have provided teachers with a basis for identifying the competencies that should be taught in introductory interpersonal communication courses, including empathy, social composure, and conflict management. However, other issues such as "performance vs. knowledge," the affective dimension, and…

One of the most memorable eulogies delivered in the United States Senate is the one by Senator Michael Mansfield for President John F. Kennedy. An analysis of his word choice reveals that he (1) forced the audience to participate in the creation of the message; (2) employed active, forceful descriptions; (3) focused on praiseworthy qualities of…

In order to study the relationship between self-esteem and communication anxiety, 1202 college students in a basic communication course completed scales developed to measure the two variables. To make sure that the variables were independent and that one was not a subset of the other, a factor analysis of all the items in each scale was performed.…

Sketches vocabulary work for improving performance, especially in hearing and understanding television lessons in carrying on conversations. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Suggests, with examples, these types of drill to induce response in Russian to statements in the mother tongue: (1) substitution, (2) transformation, (3) substitution requiring simultaneous transformation, (4) complementing, and (5) extending. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)