Argues that talking helps college writers to formulate and clarify their ideas while they gain confidence. Cites R. Zoellner's "talk-write" model as an alternative to the segregation of speech and writing. Concludes that small tutoring sessions and full session discussions with developmental students encourage revision. (JG)

Describes how "The Odyssey" is taught to fifth graders as a part of a study of ancient civilizations. Beginning with a storyteller's version of the tale, the children hear, read, discuss, and write about parts of the story. Learning activities and resources are described. (LMO)

This packet consists of 10 learning activities related to the communications area of language arts career skills. Each activity is self-contained and provides all necessary material or information. The activities include a communication skills table; career acrostics; a questionnaire for use in an informal interview with an employed person; a…

Written for professional people returning to study, this book provides practical guidance and strategies to increase confidence, enhance skills, and develop critical awareness and creativity. Chapter 1 helps students identify reasons for return to study and their implications; examine their interpretations of what learning is; and think about…

Based on the 1998 Arkansas State Language Arts Framework, this sample curriculum model for kindergarten language arts is divided into sections focusing on writing; listening, speaking, and viewing; and reading. Each section lists standards; benchmarks; assessments; and strategies/activities. The reading section itself is divided into print…

The guide provides both general and specific behavioral objectives for French second language instruction in immersion contexts at each grade level in Alberta's elementary and secondary schools (K-12). An introductory section gives an overview of the curriculum's design and use of the guide, instructional and evaluation principles, and some major…

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)

A survey of 111 campus recruiters of graduating students shows agreement that interviews are the most important selection method. Students' verbal communication skills, character, work experience, and academic performance were judged the most important personal characteristics in applicants. Work-related expectations and attitudes were the most…

An interdisciplinary program for freshmen at Pace University (New York) focused on development of critical thinking, nonverbal communication, writing, and speaking skills. Two sections of an English course, two of a public speaking course, and one of philosophy adopted common texts, common themes, and cross-disciplinary reinforcement of skills.…

This paper cites published literature and quotations from parents in discussing the pressures of adolescence on hearing-impaired youth, rebellious behaviors that are specific to speaking and listening, adult attitudes regarding speech use and auditory function, and strategies for coping constructively with adolescence. (JDD)

A survey was conducted of 100 graduates (ages 7-17) of an auditory/oral preschool in Australia for children with hearing impairments, with 92 being integrated with hearing peers and 8 segregated. The majority of students reported that they used hearing aids consistently; used speech as their major mode of communication; and perceived themselves as…

Communicative tasks are defined as activities in which meaning is primary, there is a goal which needs to be worked toward, there is a real world relationship and the interaction among students is the means for achieving the task outcome. However, it was assumed that adopting communicative tasks alone is not adequate as it leads the learner to…

This study investigated the testing of speaking vocabulary in English as a Second Language (ESL) at a university in Hawaii. A Speaking Vocabulary Test (SVT) was developed and piloted with college students. Test-takers (n=37) were divided into three groups: native English-speaking freshmen and sophomores; non-native English-speaking freshmen,…

The essays collected here describe events, trends, and issues in the development of language proficiency testing for African languages. Papers include: "A Brief History of Proficiency Testing" (Richard T. Thompson, Dora E. Johnson); "The 1986 Stanford ACTFL Training Workshop" (William Leben); "The 1987 Madison-MSU Team…

The Oral Communication Competencies Assessment Project was designed to determine student communication competency across the curriculum, transferring skills taught in the communication skills class to authentic classroom performances. The 505 students who were required to make oral presentations across the curriculum during the first term of the…