Reviews four books on speech research: (1) "The Speech Chain: The Physics and Biology of Spoken Language" (Peter B. Denes and Elliot N. Pinson); (2) "Speaking: From Intention to Articulation" (Willem J. M. Levelt); (3) "Talking to Learn: Conversation in Second Language Acquisition" (Richard R. Day); and (4) "Speaking" (Martin Bygate). (eight…

The difficulties of assessing and grading fluency in Japanese for advanced students on oral examinations is discussed. Factors of accuracy of grammar and vocabulary, pronunciation, and ease of expression are discussed. (CHK)

A course given to help German teachers of English master English phrases used frequently in the classroom is described. It was found that initial contextualization followed by language laboratory work enabled teachers to assimilate phrases best. (CHK)

Discusses problems encountered in reading of English by foreign students who are unaccustomed to English script. Considering two levels of reading, students having difficulties at one level will regress by reason of vertical decalage to a lower level of learning strategy. This is manifested by a more intent focus on individual letters if the pupil…

Video programs have proven more successful for oral proficiency than traditional conversation in English language courses at Stockholm University. Video provides verbal and non-verbal forms of communication and a variety of life-like situations. It also raises students' attention and provides a model for students to imitate. (SC)

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)

Linguistic needs of non-linguist students of Belgian universities are assessed; skills that should be taught and approaches to use are discussed. The needs are twofold: scholastic and professional. Skills should be reading comprehension and oral and written knowledge. Approaches should be comprehensive. (SC)

Use of a seminar technique to improve the oral English communicative competence of Chinese postgraduate students in science and technology helped the students to learn foreign culture, science, and technology, as well as the foreign language, and helped them to lose their communication apprehension. (Author/CB)

This paper contends that communicative competence should be the organizational principle in foreign language teaching, and outlines a proposed communication-oriented language teaching unit. Its advantages in both teaching and learning are discussed. (CHK)

Examined the effect of gender on English language teachers' evaluations of audiotapes of Japanese students' spoken English. The results showed a slight pro-male bias when the speakers were introduced as students but none when the speakers were introduced as doctors or experts in their field. Teacher gender was found to have no effect on the rating…

Describes a study whose aim was to improve the quality of the structured oral interviews used in Denmark to test the English proficiency of high school students after five years of instruction. The study focused on construct validity and interscorer reliability. (SED)

Discusses the need of students in French business schools for developing speaking skills in English and the methods that were developed to meet this need. The use of case studies and role plays is evaluated and the need for a new way of presenting case studies is considered. (Author/AMH)