We examined the effects of intensive tact instruction on emission of audience-accurate verbalizations of 2 middle school students using a delayed multiple baseline design across participants. Dependent variables were accurate and inaccurate audience controlled tacts and conversational units during non-instructional times. Following baselines,…

Discussed is how strange words frequently reveal their meanings through contextual use, similarity to known vocabulary, by their sounds, or by analysis of their parts. Twelve words from the discipline of biology are analyzed using analysis of their parts. (KR)

Five language-eliciting situations were presented to kindergarten and primary-grade children to identify developmental trends and task effects in the complexity of language structures, vocabulary, functions, and story conventions used. Limited developmental differences and significant task effects were found. Implications for classroom instruction…

Teachers should enrich students' language environment, give children opportunities to practice their language, and allow feedback on language to occur. (DD)

This booklet was inspired by the need of educators and therapists of preschool students who are blind and visually impaired to share their observations of children with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) and the therapies found to be helpful when working with these children. The work done at the Blind Childrens Center is very rewarding, and these…

Methods that can be used by the teacher to encourage children to use standard language are discussed. Three specific instructions to the teacher are given: (1) Recognize that this is part of the natural language growth process and accept it for that; (2) Realize that it cannot be changed overnight. The child will have to be exposed to the accepted…

CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS OF 38 HEADSTART TEACHERS, TAKEN ON FOUR OCCASIONS BY FOUR DIFFERENT OBSERVERS, WERE SCORED FOR SUCH CONTENT CHARACTERISTICS AS (1) AMOUNT AND KIND OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHILDREN, (2) STRESS ON OBEDIENCE OR INTELLECTUAL VALUES, AND (3) PHYSICAL-MOTOR SKILLS. THESE SCORES WERE COMPARED WITH THE CHILDREN'S INTELLECTUAL…

Teachers often become dominated by the demands of subject disciplines and fail to provide opportunities for pupils to learn by talking, reading, writing about experiences they meet, for in this way they will come to terms with subject disciplines. (Author)

Teachers should not try to impose on children the language of adults, but they can provide models for them to grow naturally into as they become adults. The child knows his language when he comes to school, and the teacher should try to build on what he knows, not blunder into opposition to it. (Author)

This article discusses the importance of vocabulary in second language acquisition (SLA), presents an overview of major strands of research on vocabulary acquisition, and discusses five principles for effective second language (L2) vocabulary instruction based on research findings on lexical input processing. These principles emphasize…

Discusses the use of stereotyped speech patterns as teaching material or as the basis of communicative exercises. Gives examples of the use of these gambits in drills and exercises in German. (EKN)

Investigates verbal behaviors and the relationships with the improvement of learning strategies, motivations, and attitudes in a 7th grade cooperative science classroom setting. Studies students' perceptions of cooperative learning by achievement level. Reports that verbal behaviors in cooperative learning were positively related to the…

The development of reason has long been an important aim for education. This is possibly reflected in the emphasis on the importance of explicit verbal reasoning in definitions of "Exploratory Talk", a concept that has had some influence on classroom teaching. In this paper I argue from transcript evidence that, while Exploratory Talk is a…

Briefly lists the stages of early language development, compares normal with abnormal language development, and explores characteristics of language impaired school age children. Specific diagnosis and teaching examples are also provided. (TO)