WHILE EVERY OTHER ASPECT OF LANGUAGE TEACHING IS TODAY SUBORDINATE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPEAKING, PROBLEMS WILL DEVELOP UNLESS THERE IS AN ESSENTIAL REWORKING OF METHODOLOGY AND AN ESTABLISHMENT OF A SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE ORAL FACILITY. CONSCIOUSNESS OF GRAMMATICAL PHENOMENA IS INDISPENSABLE FOR RAPID MASTERY OF SPOKEN RUSSIAN. THE…

Too many teachers have misguided ideas about the principles of the oral approach to teaching EFL. They are either too sure of themselves and of the theory and become complacent, or their confidence is shaken by the failure of a technique they thought to be infallible. (SCC)

Proposes an organizationally simple teaching procedure, wherein every fourth hour is devoted to individualized instruction. The criteria involved are auditory understanding, speaking skill, and understanding of structure. The procedure is explained, and examples of the teaching of various items are sketched. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Suggests use of dramatic sketches and conversation sequences for introducing new language material. With situational and stage material, the teacher can avoid the fragmentation of language knowledge, and also join imitative with cognitive learning. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

A number of devices for use in teaching foreign language conservation courses are described. Among them are hypothetical situations, group discussions, activities for improving oral comprehension, plays and skits, collective stories, dialogues, interviews, speeches, recorded songs, cartoon captions, television games, and card techniques. (RM)

Report of a group project in German designed to increase students' aural-oral skills: Borchert's short story "Das Brot" was read and rewritten as a radio play and the results were recorded. Reading and writing skills were employed, extensive oral practice was possible, and tapes were used. (SCC)

Group work in language classrooms has the advantages of involving a more natural type of language and letting each student participate more. Effectiveness of this method is not certain, however. Questions of size and composition of groups and types of group activities are discussed. (CHK)

Describes the verbo-tonal method in phonetics, which recognizes the importance of correct aural perception, as well as correct articulation. The learner must acquire new habits in both. Teaching suggestions are offered, with examples of errors, proceeding from the simpler to the more difficult. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Eight different activities are suggested for the foreign language conversation class in order to vary the textbook emphasis. Among the suggested situations are a "last people on earth" session, sensitivity sessions, descriptions of paintings or photos, an improvised drama, and a mock trial. (CHK)

For bringing students to the point of free discourse, the dialog is especially suitable. The various types of dialog are discussed, and the various steps through which the student must go. Hints are given for producing dialogs useful for teaching FL. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

The authors cite reasons for the poor standard of spoken French in British secondary schools and put forward some practical ideas for oral activities. (SJL)

Use of classroom improvisations and role-playing can help the second language learner speak quickly, naturally, and spontaneously. The technique is discussed and illustrated. (CHK)