A program designed to improve the oral second language skills of high school students in second-year Spanish is reported. Initial analysis attributed the students' low level of oral Spanish skills to lack of motivation and insufficient practice of oral language. Three major interventions were implemented: incorporation of more oral practice of…

Based on the 1998 Arkansas English Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks, this sample curriculum model for grade five language arts is divided into sections focusing on writing; reading; and listening, speaking, and viewing. The writing section's stated goals are to help students employ a wide range of strategies as they write; use different writing…

Based on the 1998 Arkansas English Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks, this sample curriculum model for grade six language arts is divided into sections focusing on writing; reading; and listening, speaking, and viewing. The writing section's stated goals are to help students employ a wide range of strategies as they write; use different writing…

The development of a second-year college French language course based on principles of communicative competence and the notional-functional approach is described. Although spoken language is the primary focus of the course, it is also designed to cover a broader range of writing skills than the traditional college language course. (MSE)

Reports the results of a Speech Communication Association Task Force investigating communication skills needed by community college graduates. Summarizes relevant literature and survey results from state instructional offices and community college committee members in various occupational areas. Findings indicate a strong need for group…

The thematic integrated teaching method for second-language learning weaves together the four skills by using a topic encountered in everyday living to explore and adjust to a new environment and language. The theme of food is used to illustrate curriculum structure, vocabulary, and activities. (MSE)

Describes the development and evaluation of a communication program which, through speaker-listener settings, aims to give children strategies for recognizing and conveying critical attributes, ignoring redundant information, and sequencing information. (Author/BW)

This article discusses a battery of tests, the "Short Tests of Linguistic Skills," which was developed by the Chicago Board of Education to help teachers determine the language dominance of Spanish bilingual children between the ages of 8 and 13. (CFM)

Ten children diagnosed with juvenile Battens disease were tested over a three-year period in general intelligence, memory, listening and speech, motor skills, and general learning. Results showed that the patients followed a predetermined pattern but that the time span for development of memory, communication, and behavior problems varied greatly.…

Toddlers in the lowest 10th percentile for lexical production were compared with age- and language-matched controls on measures of phonetic complexity, lexical development, and grammatical complexity. Results indicate an overlap between phonology, lexicon, and grammar and suggest the importance of true consonant production for lexical development.…

Prelinguistically deafened children (n=28) with cochlear implants performed imitative and structured spontaneous sampling speech tasks. Results found children who had used implants for at least two years acquired some intelligible speech; children who received implants before five years of age showed greater benefit than later recipients; and…

This article describes a conceptual model of the literacy learning process in individuals with severe congenital speech and motor impairments. The literature is reviewed on the relationship between spoken and written language development in both the nondisabled population and those with disabilities. Practical applications for instruction are…

Four ideas for French language instruction are described, including an exercise in summarizing or retelling something told to one; an exercise in descriptive and expressive language; an exploration of the different uses of the word "cadre"; and activities related to coffee in different cultures. (MSE)

Describes the nature of children's oral language experiences in Head Start and other preschool programs serving low-income families and relates those experiences to broader features of the classrooms' programs. Finds that small class size, teacher education levels, and developmentally appropriate curricula are positively associated with high…

This article clarifies the role of the speech-language pathologist in service provision to students with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It addresses variables to be considered in service provision, cognitive deficits that interfere with speech and language function, types of speech and language deficits following TBI, and guidelines for assessing…