The use of questions in the target language on reading material is an important teaching aid in developing a working command of the spoken language in introductory FL courses. The best use of reading material in the early stages of second language acquisition is as an aid to communicating in the target language. Consequently, reading material…

Irregularities in oral fluency, or "disfluencies," are common in the speech habits of both children and adults. Disfluencies can take the form of hesitations, revisions, repetitions, or interjections. Most disfluenceies do not occur at random, but are directly linked to other factors such as verbal planning--the combination of decisions…

After experimenting extensively with a large assortment of classroom aids, e.g., blocks and rhythm instruments to stimulate the oral expression of preschool children, it was found that far less language expression resulted than had been anticipated. When those experiments which had been mildly successful were evaluated, it was decided that young…

This paper outlines an approach to oral composition using wall pictures with a class of younger children in their second or third year of English as a foreign language. "Oral Composition" means the construction and sequencing of nine or ten sentences about the picture in question to form a spoken text. (CFM)

Use of classroom improvisations and role-playing can help the second language learner speak quickly, naturally, and spontaneously. The technique is discussed and illustrated. (CHK)

Describes three types of computer-assisted language learning programs which have been developed in English and Russian, addressing: (1) complex, cyclical, and generative programs; (2) preparatory to communication programs; and (3) stimulating communication programs. (Author/CB)

Activities which focus on form and communicative outcome are suggested for developing accuracy and fluency in second language students. Examples of such activities (with focus on the English as a second language learner) that vary the circumstances of communication in the classroom are presented. (Author/CB)

Discusses various approaches to the successful conversational language course at the advanced level. (AM)

Discusses the differences in conversational structures and verbal strategies between languages and cultures and the teaching of such differences. The use of literary texts is advocated. (AM)

"The Achiever" is a monthly publication for parents and community leaders from the Office of Communications and Outreach, U.S. Department of Education (ED). Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. Highlights of this issue include: (1) President Sets Agenda for Education; (2) "Beating…

Explores the impact of a change in status in language programs and the culture of second language learning in Australian schools, particularly in light of declared goals such as a language other than English for all and the integration of language teaching and learning with Australia's external political and economic priorities. (32 references)…

Elucidates the psycholinguistic mechanics of the "output hypothesis" and argues that output serves an important role in second language acquisition because it generates specific input the cognitive system needs to build up a coherent set of knowledge. The article hypothesizes that the locus of the effect of output is in the transition of…