An examination of 54 language arts textbooks (grades 3-6) was made to determine textbook content criteria and the amount and specific nature of the speech and listening contents. The results indicated that authors and publishers feel that language skills (1) are used primarily for communicating, for social compentency, and for thinking, (2) are best taught by focusing on specific areas, (3) should be developed in social situation, and (4) should be taught by emphasizing oral language first. But, most textbooks give more space to six other language arts areas than to speech or listening activities. The following conclusions about the specific content of speech and listening lessons can be made: (1) Those speech activities emphasized most, in order of rank, are giving talks, conversation and discussion, dramatization, storytelling, social amenities, articulation, enunciation, pronunciation, and telephoning. (2) In listening content, teaching listening directly ranked highest in allotted space. (3) Creativity, spontaneity, and the use of bodily action in speaking were generally neglected. (4) Skill development in voice usage is limited by the printed page, and teachers must supplement textbooks with oral teaching devices. (LH)