Two meanings of the word "discourse" are distinguished. The first treats discourse as conversation (D1), and the other refers to different ways of understanding (D2). Rather than seeing the two kinds of discourse as different, they are seen as having an important connection, particularly in classroom communication. Examples are drawn from the…

The primary goal of the basic course in speech should be to investigate oral communication rather than public speaking. Fundamental to understanding oral communication is some understanding of the oral mind, that operates when orality is the primary means of expression. Since narrative invites action rather than leisurely analysis, the oral mind…

Three linguistic features used in spontaneous conversation to express emotional involvement (this, never, and all) are analyzed. "All" and "never" have referential functions; "this" has both referential and deictic functions. The focus of this analysis is on the way that speakers use these features to express emotional involvement and to orient…

This resource manual--proceedings of two task force meetings--is intended to assist Florida school districts, state agencies, and parents in the provision of special programs for students who exhibit disorders in oral or written language. As part of a continuing effort to improve services for exceptional students in Florida's public schools, the…

This textbook is intended for use in the third and fourth grades, is divided into approximately 150 planned lessons for each year's work. These lessons are grouped into chapters, each composed of a series of related units that center about a common theme, providing work for a period equivalent in general to a school month. The material on which…

This textbook covers two years' work intended for grades five and six. The book is divided into approximately 160 carefully planned lessons for each year's work. These lessons are grouped into chapters, each composed of a series of related units that center on a common theme, providing work for a period equivalent in general to a school month. The…

This textbook covers two years' work intended for grades seven and eight. The book is divided into approximately 150 carefully planned lessons for each year's work. These lessons are grouped into chapters, each composed of a series of related units that center on a common theme. The material on which conversation and written exercises are based…

Reviews the literature concerning the importance of a child's oral language in learning to read. (JM)

Considers the possibility of a relationship between oral language and reading. Includes an extensive list of references. (JM)

The evolution of lay literacy, the pervasive set of assumptions taken for granted by those who participate in a literate society, is traced from the 12th century. Research on the forms and assumptions of lay literacy over the change from an oral to a written to a computer society is urged. (MT)

Thirty-three kindergartners from two social classes were tested on an array of prereading and oral language skills. Prereading skills were found to be highly intercorrelated and to relate to ability to provide decontextualized definitions for words. Oral language measures of decontextualized skill correlated within task, but not across tasks. (PCB)

Suggests that code-switching is not only a neurolinguistic process but also a psychological phenomenon with substantial reference to personality structure and dynamics. The bilingual's personality as a "code-switcher" is tentatively defined. (Author/CB)

Compares the ways native and non-native speakers listen to English. Results indicated that native speakers could bias their listening from context but that non-native speakers could not. (CB)

Although "Received Pronunciation" (RP) has been recommended for years as the most suitable form of British English for first and second language instruction, it is not easiest nor most appropriate accent for foreigners to learn. Linguists, phoneticians, and teachers should overcome their fascination with the accent of elite minority and…

Analyzes data regarding children's early talk about past experiences, resulting from longitudinal home observations of five working-class mothers and their two-year-olds. Results indicate that children talked primarily of negative past events, especially those involving physical harm, and that during this period temporally-ordered sequences…