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…

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…

The Book Club project has a focus on research examining literature-based instruction with an emphasis on student-led response groups and this report describes the use of Book Club instruction within a special education resource room, in which elementary-level children incorporated the use of high quality literature, written and oral responses to…

A study investigated the effect of dialogue journal writing on English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) students' speaking skills. Subjects were 136 students enrolled in a history program at an Egyptian university, divided randomly into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received training in dialogue journal writing in addition to…

This pack provides material for new tutors who are beginning to be involved in literacy work with adults. The activities can be used in one-to-one or small group situations and include a range of suggestions for beginning learners and those needing to brush up on their skills. This pack contains nine sections. Section 1 provides ideas for helping…

This curriculum outline is designed for trainers of practitioners who use technology with students with disabilities. It offers an alternative approach to technology-specific training, with the student as the focus, the technology as one potential solution for providing better access to instruction, and the matching of functional tasks required in…

An evaluation of Manitoba's French immersion programs at the levels of grades 3, 6, and 9 focused on program effectiveness in teaching listening comprehension and speech skills. The results for grade 9 are presented here. The first section describes the framework of the immersion curriculum and the listening and oral skills targeted in it. The…