This unit on discussion skills was designed for junior high school students who have elementary discussion skills. The two primary student objectives are: (1) to be able to express themselves openly, but without hurting the feelings of other people; and (2) to improve their discussion skills. The 12 lessons in the unit focus on freedom of…

In intercollegiate debate, negative debaters must be prepared with a variety of approaches to differing affirmative cases and must adapt to particular affirmative cases they meet. Successful negative debaters cannot determine their strategy until the presentation of the first affirmative speech or, in cross-examination debates, until after…

The American educational system has failed to recognize and respect the "native" oral communication skills of students from backgrounds culturally different from white, middle-class students' backgrounds. The cuturally different students are not necessarily culturally disadvantaged. For example, black youths'"natural" oral expression is quite…

Two programs have been developed in Pennsylvania to provide opportunities for and guidance in the development of speech communication curricula. The State Consultancy Service, established in 1964, first used volunteer consultant authorities to initiate speech education programs in school curricula or to suggest methods for improving existing…

A course designed to aid the student in developing effective skills for critical listening and listening for comprehension of ideas. Clear articulation, effective voice production, acceptable pronunciation, pitch variation, rhythm and phrasing are also practiced for cultural growth and social maturity. The course outline consists of: I.…

"Language-related" refers mainly to teacher-guided communication, aimed at revealing the progress of language learning. "Information-related" communication, a two-way process, refers to all other speech intentions. Suggestions are given for stimulating spontaneous use of information-related materials. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Four contributors discuss methods of integrating speech communication instruction with English and writing instruction. (SRT)

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)

Reports on the development of an assessment instrument to test basic communication skills necessary for students' success in college. Covers the instrument's conceptual foundation, administration procedures, development, and analysis. (PD)

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…

To investigate the speech of black college students for nonfluencies--linguistic elements breaking the flow of words or ideas--and to ascertain if students' attendance of a largely black or largely white university influenced their use of nonfluencies, 21 black students at a predominantly black university and 25 black students at a predominantly…

Three activities for developing speaking skills of advanced English as second language students are presented. Impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and debate activities are designed to train students to organize concepts, develop spontaneous oral skills, and enhance confidence and clarity of thought. Impromptu speaking develops…

This pamphlet, provided in both English and Spanish, presents a brief overview of Situational Reinforcement (SR), a teaching methodology used in the materials published by the Institute of Modern Languages. Explanations are given concerning its theoretical basis, its practical applications, the history of its development, and the support it finds…

The trend toward establishing minimal competency requirements for high school graduation led the Speech Communication Association to establish a task force that would recommend what speaking and listening skills should be required of high school graduates in the United States. This paper describes the work of that task force, indicating the…

Thirteen manuscripts and extended reports on the nature of speech, instrumentation for its investigation, and practical applications of research are presented in this status report on speech research for the period of July-December 1979. The topics dealt with include speech perception, children's memory for sentences and word strings in relation…