The handbook, intended for use as a guide for special education teachers, presents an overview of language arts and communication skills. Instructional considerations and teaching ideas (objectives and activities) are presented for three major types of skills: (1) receptive language arts (listening skills, reading, phonics, sight vocabulary, comprehension, study skills, nonverbal communication); (2) expressive language skills (oral communication, handwriting, spelling, creative writing, writing mechanics); and (3) practical communication skills (receptive skills, oral expressive skills, and written expressive skills). The final chapter addresses ways in which the media (literature, television, newspapers, and libraries) can be used as a teaching tool. Resources listed include special education associations and organizations and special education journals. (CL)