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)

Asserts that students have difficulty presenting convincing arguments because they have little experience with well-reasoned argumentation. Outlines the parts of an argument and how to practice oral and written argumentation. States that students need specific criteria with which to analyze/evaluate writing and a gradual move from teacher-led work…

Discusses the value of a nonperformance speech communication organization for both students and departments. Suggests criteria for discipline-centered student organizations. Offers a case study of one such club at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, and evaluates the effectiveness of this program. (HB)

Finds that communication-skills instruction generates (using the Binomial Effect Size Display) a 44% increase in critical-thinking ability. Finds that forensic participation demonstrated the largest positive impact on critical-thinking improvement, but that all communication skills experiences demonstrated significant improvement. (SR)

A review of research on second-language speaking and its instruction focuses on (1) methodological issues concerning the form/function dichotomy and their implications for teacher and learner interaction; (2) the nature and scope of current teaching materials, particularly with regard to their representations of speaking interaction; and (3)…

Studies investigating the role gesture plays in communication claim gesture has a minimal role, while others claim that gesture carries a large communicative load. In these studies, however, the role of gesture has been assessed in a context where speech is understood and could easily carry the entire communicative burden. We examine the role of…

Phonologic treatments have traditionally been designed to teach a target speech sound starting with presumed easy teaching tasks and progressing to harder tasks. This investigation evaluated the effects on single-phoneme acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of Concurrent Treatment, which randomly intermixed presumed easy and hard teaching…

Delineating the content that must be covered in the secondary schools of the State of Idaho, this guide presents a course of study for a full-semester course designed to help students better understand the complexities of the communication process and succeed in a world of interaction. Although educators sometimes use the terms interchangeably,…

This annotated bibliography lists books, articles, and other related sources dealing with the areas of speech communication education and critical thinking. Besides works dealing specifically with the area of speech communications, a majority of the sources focus primarily on the general topic of critical thinking, its value to secondary and…

A study investigated speech anxiety in the basic speech course by means of pre and post essays. Subjects, 73 students in 3 classes in the basic speech course at a southwestern multiuniversity, wrote a two-page essay on their perceptions of their speech anxiety before the first speaking project. Students discussed speech anxiety in class and were…

The goal of the Speaking Across the Curriculum movement is to increase oral communication competencies at the college and university level. Much of what has been implemented within Writing Across the Curriculum can be applied to Speaking Across the Curriculum. A study examined students' opinions of a proposed Speaking Center at Eastern Illinois…

A study aimed to provide information about the current communication curriculum offered through undergraduate programs. A systematic search of the undergraduate catalogs of 565 institutions was conducted viewing Speech Communication Programs available in the Central States region. Results indicated that all but five institutions offered at least…

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…

A study investigated the relationship between students' communication apprehension levels and their attitudes toward the use of video recording in a basic speech course. A communication apprehension measure and a questionnaire on perceptions of videotape use in class were completed by 230 undergraduate basic speech students. The findings…