The humanistic approach to the teaching of speech is vital, especially in light of current trends in interpersonal communication. Four interrelated classroom goals should be pursued: (1) the establishment of a climate of trust, (2) the encouragement of open expression of emotions, (3) concentration upon the persuasive expression of interpersonal needs, and (4) the creation of an environment for individual discovery of self-originated emotions and the creative expression of these emotions through the use of the whole oral and bodily communicational modes. Resulting humanistic behavioral objectives include the speech teacher's classroom activities (stressing experience-based learning) and an open, non-evaluative atmosphere (resulting in less defensiveness and maximum sharing of feelings). (CH)