Crucial issues facing the departments of English in the 1960's prompt a reexamination of literature-oriented curriculums, staff preparation, enrollment trends, and international needs in the teaching of English. The implications of a shortage of qualified beginning instructors with a Ph.D. in literature suggest that teachers be trained in the…

The eight studies on reading reported in this publication focus on research in the areas of greatest concern to the general English teacher. The findings and conclusions of systematic empirical investigations as well as descriptive analyses, status studies, and surveys are presented on (1) preparation for teaching reading; (2) variations in…

Composition teachers who ask students to express something worthwhile and then deny them a true voice in which to say it--preferring instead the stiff, empty classroom language of "Engfish"--are to blame for student dissatisfaction and despair. Teachers should begin a writing course with the proper subject--the student--who learns to express…

The main thesis of this book which describes a pupil-centered curriculum is that students should use language more than they customarily do. The curriculum is based on a "naturalistic" approach "whereby students learn essentially by doing and receiving feedback." Consequently, most of the book is devoted to guiding the student from a posture of…

Perspective on how English professors and English departments can engage professionally and meaningfully in the education of impoverished children is provided through the recounting of a number of experiences in related situations. A discussion with a college literature class about how best to recruit and instruct college-level black students…

The variety of influences on the teaching of literature at the elementary school level is illustrated by this description of current practices and review of research and development in the area. The following types of materials are reviewed to point out recommended practices: curriculum guides, objectives of library programs, textbooks for…

A number of the axioms of tagmemics are explored in order to develop exercises based on these axioms about language structure but specifically designed to develop writing competence. Exercises for unit definition through contrast with other units; range of variability; and distribution in class, sequence, and system receive particular attention.…

The purpose of this publication is to help teachers identify the levels which children have attained in their thinking as they express their attitudes, values, and behaviors through oral language. Provided are (1) sample questions applicable to various maturity levels to enable teachers to gauge the level of difficulty of their classroom…

This paper discusses the controversy over nonstandard dialects as opposed to the standard language in the teaching of English and makes a case for maintaining a commitment to Standard English. The primary function of standard English is to provide a means by which members of English-speaking society can communicate with each other. It is…

This collection of 15 descriptions of teaching practices was designed to aid classroom teachers and to inform curriculum supervisors, administrators, and the general public of the wide range and complexity of activities within the profession. Two articles emphasize the place of linguistics in the classroom and clarify some of the problems of…

The 11 papers collected in this book provide an analysis of a number of issues basic to English education. J. W. Patrick Creber discusses "rigour" in creative work and the question of "subject-centered" versus "student-centered" curriculums in British schools; Francis G. Townsend describes the working relationships…

The 19 articles on teaching methods collected in this seventh report of the NCTE Committee on Classroom Practices focus on Afro-American ideas, communication, and teaching in megalopolis. Specific topics discussed include (1) the teaching of reading and writing to disadvantaged children, (2) the utilization of black authors and poets in literature…

The 10 addresses in this volume on teacher education illustrate the conference theme of combining the old with the new. Henry C. Meckel surveys what is good in the current preparation of English teachers, and Carl A. Lefevre and Father Daniel Fogarty discuss, respectively, the contributions of linguistic studies and of current thinking about…

Considers: (1) research by George Hillocks using meta-analysis to examine four modes of composition instruction; (2) role playing in classroom to improve student writing of persuasive letters or opinion essays; (3) process approach to English instruction, which allows for complex nature of individual learning styles; and (4) resource for promising…

The National Reporting System (NRS) was developed to report the outcomes of English language, literacy and numeracy provision in Australia's vocational education and training and adult and community education sectors, and in labour market programs. Since its introduction, however, the NRS has been used as more than a reporting tool. It has also…