Describes classroom techniques to develop student participation in a German conversation course at Southern Colorado State College, Pueblo, Colorado. (RS)

Conversation is not easy to teach because of the absence of natural stimuli. Role-playing is seen as the best way to practice natural and interesting conversation. (IFS/WGA)

Socio-drama can be used to develop communication skills for English as a second language students. Students produce new sentences by participating in several enactments, and language use must be restructured according to the social context. Social interaction, a prerequisite for communication, is also promoted. (SW)

"Directed conversation," involving a functional approach and role playing, is recommended for English as a second language classes instead of unstructured conversation groups. The student practices not only syntax and vocabulary but the specific sociolinguistic rules appropriate to the speech situation. (SW)

Suggests five techniques to be used by the teacher of English as a second language to initiate communication in the classroom: (1) the interview; (2) the mutual interview; (3) the class story; (4) the journal; and (5) role-playing and problem-solving. (CFM)

One of the trends in foreign language teaching today seems to be increased emphasis on the development of communicative competence and a new concern for the student as an individual. One technique for stimulating communication is the "rapid-fire question" technique, which involves building up to a speed of 150-200 questions in 50 minutes. This…