This research paper summarizes several experiments in which children's speech volume was compared to the varied background noise against which they spoke. Age was found to be an important factor: 4 1/2-year-olds, as contrasted with 6 1/2-year-olds, failed to adjust their speech to make it audible over noise when talking about complex stimuli.…

The aim of this teaching unit is to develop the students' ability to deal with stereotypes of the foreign people and culture, including the people's stereotypes of themselves ("autostereotypes"). Within the framework of the autostereotype "American Mission," the "George Washington Mythos" is discussed. (Text is in…

Improvements in reading and oral language achievement by disadvantaged elementary-age students in England are reported in connection with a program of parental involvement in the classroom. A reading-at-home program, a neighborhood center for parents of preschoolers, and other collaborative school-parent-community activities are also described.…

Discusses ways in which talk during writing and group discussion can help children's writing, including (1) helping teachers learn to listen, (2) teaching children to elaborate and clarify, (3) giving children experience with an audience and reasons for writing, (4) helping children gather ideas and assistance, and (5) teaching children to be…

Fourteen strategies a hard-of-hearing mother uses while reading a book with her hard-of-hearing preschool son are observed. These strategies are grouped in four large categories: (1) confirmation of child's understanding; (2) focusing attention on the book and its content; (3) specific language input; (4) concept development. (Author/LMO)

Presents reading/writing units based on story grammar techniques and intended for students in grades one through six. (FL)

Describes how four teachers use reading as an integral part of their writing instruction. (SRT)

Explores the efficacy of a behavioral remediation program for oral reading on oral reading errors and comprehension of four moderately mentally retarded children. Reveals a clear relationship between remediation and oral reading errors and proves that the remediation program was effective in reducing oral reading errors and increasing…

Declares the need to train teachers to use computers in reading and language arts and describes a training program used with undergraduate education majors at the State University of New York at Geneseo. (SRT)

Education Secretary Bennett reports on specific problems in the nation's educational system and defines curriculum goals in the following areas: reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, cultural literacy, the arts, foreign languages, and health and physical education. Appended are 27 footnotes. (IW)

Defines artificial intelligence and reviews current research in natural language processing, expert systems, and robotics and sensory systems. Discussion covers current commercial applications of artificial intelligence and projections of uses and limitations in library technical and public services, e.g., in cataloging and online information and…

A tracking procedure (lipreading of word groups that are repeated by a hearing-impaired listener), emphasizing practical coping strategies and practice in responding to cues in connected speech, was utilized with one deaf adult subject. Tracking scores before and after training illustrate the value of the procedure for evaluation and training.…

Research literature on childrens' causal understanding in oral and written settings is reviewed. Results show that maturation and task complexity both influence childrens' causal understanding. However, the findings are contradictory, and no generalizations could be made about which factors influence causal understanding and at which ages they are…

Analyzes small-group writing conversation among freshman composition students, identifying the following roles: (1) evaluator, (2) immediate reader, (3) role playing audience, and (4) helpful listener. Presents transcripts of student conversations illustrating these roles, and suggests ways to improve what is said. (JG)

Heidelberg College's international program has grown from a handful of juniors studying abroad to a range of international opportunities that reaches into the lives of students, staff, and faculty, and the local community. The English language program, internationalizing student life and faculty, and changing the curriculum are discussed. (MLW)