Oral exercises are classified by type and form. Types include repetition, substitution, conversion, pyramid, and combinations. Dialogue, games, play acting, conversation, and repetition are cited as forms. Sample exercises are offered as illustrations. (AF)

This paper discusses the problem of providing language practice for foreign language students that is meaningful and communicative as well as structured sufficiently to give practice toward functional command of basic grammatical components. A brief review of the communicative status of drills is presented, along with a technique designed to bring…

Teachers are urged to improve their teaching through the effective use of pattern drills by examining the construction and function of the drills. Forty-eight questions with answers elaborate upon generalities and technicalities of drill design and their classroom use. (RL)

Some 115 comments on improving the teaching of foreign languages are organized in a broad variety of categories. They include: (1) class preparation, (2) student-teacher contact, (3) acoustic problems, (4) the role of English, (5) the use of the blackboard, (6) the role of the textbook, (7) grammar, (8) students and their questions, (9) teaching…

The pattern drill used in language instruction, termed the "schmattern drill" in this article, is severely criticized for depriving students of meaningful communication opportunities. Methods of alleviating student boredom through the extension of and variation in pattern drill design are illustrated by examples of contrasting "schmattern" and…