An often-neglected aspect of daily language is syllable doubling or repetition, as in infant language ("nounou"), onomatopoeia ("ronron"), interjections or responses ("oui oui"), names ("Mimi"), or military slang ("coco" for "commandant"). The mechanisms and semantic functions of this phenomenon are outlined, drawing on examples from French…

Suggests that with the aid of television children can learn to read at home just as they learn to talk. (RB)

A review of recent research findings on how a child develops a vocabulary and acquires the ability to express himself. Bibliography. (RB)

Demonstrates the use of concordances to prepare classroom vocabulary materials that are both authentic and relevant, assuming the databases used are pertinent to students, and shows how concordance-based exercises can enhance student competence in both semantic and syntactic elements of language. (nine references) (Author/CB)

Intended for administrators and policymakers as well as teachers, this digest explores the nature of vocabulary and its implications for classroom instruction. After defining vocabulary and discussing some of the sources of English vocabulary, the digest examines how children's vocabularies develop. It then discusses the role of vocabulary…

Designed to help secondary school students understand and become able to use the "language" of the scientist, which the author defines as including both vocabulary and thought processes and laboratory procedures, this book attempts to show that the reporting of scientific investigations has both a manageable pattern and a structure.…

A regular continuing program of creative drama can provide children with many opportunities for growth in knowledge of language. (Author/JB)

"Words and Concepts" is a computer software program that focuses on building oral language skills related to vocabulary, comprehension, word relationships, and other concepts in six units--vocabulary, categorization, word identification by function, word association, concept of same, and concept of different. It can be used by adults and…

Children arrive in classrooms with varied background knowledge, which means that teachers must select instructional methods, materials, and techniques to meet multiple needs. A carefully planned approach that includes direct and explicit instruction--as well as extensive opportunities for reading, writing, speaking, and listening--can help…

Nineteen first grade children were randomly assigned to two experimental reading instruction conditions lasting 12 weeks. Both conditions used the language experience approach to teaching beginning language. In the experimental stage, the language experience approach was augmented by a total of six hours of individualized word-bank activities.…

The use of rhymes in a reading program can result in improved listening skills, increased vocabulary, improved spelling, and greater proficiency in comprehension. A rhyme can be improvised and/or adapted for every skill in the reading hierarchy. In order to make knowledge about rhyming words useful for improving reading skills, the teacher must…

A teacher initiates and successfully develops a new method for increasing the vocabulary of eighth grade students. The new method abandons rote-memory techniques for a method which allows the students to choose the words they will learn while participating in the teaching of the new vocabulary. (LF)

Discusses three language concepts which require urgent attention of social studies teachers. Students need practice in processing the ideas of the social sciences. More attention needs to be directed to teaching the vocabulary of the social studies. Building a background of basic knowledge in social studies is essential. (RM)

Examines the effect of teaching signs on the expressive language output of young hearing children. Discusses practical application of this technique for enhancing language development. (EKN)