Points out the reduction or elimination of speech instruction in secondary schools due to the return to "basics" and argues that teachers must justify speech instruction and respond to issues of accountability inherent in the "back to basics" movement. (MH)

A variety of activities are offered to help children develop skill in public speaking. Confidence is built when childen practice presenting themselves both visually and orally. (DF)

This booklet contains guidelines for developing oral communication curricula in kindergarten through 12th grade. The booklet addresses the issue of whether students are being taught to communicate effectively, and discusses the following topics: enhancing the role of oral communication in elementary and secondary education; the objective,…

Suggests methods of improving speaking and listening and listening skills in the elementary school. (DD)

Speech communication can make a difference in the teaching of English Language Arts and in improving basic teacher communication skills. A wealth of research indicates that instruction in speaking is not only important in itself but also highly influential in the development of other language arts competencies. Preparation in both English and…

This collection of seven essays provides a general theoretical discussion of the overall speech program for the elementary and junior high schools and develops several aspects of instruction in detail. Dorothy C. Higgenbotham formulates a comprehensive proposal for the development of a total speech program. The essentially symbol-centered nature…

Argues that the British government-recommended procedures for assessing oral communication are impractical. Questions the value of any sort of assessment of oral communication. (ARH)

As a result of the neglect of verbal training in the public schools, students, community members, and even some teachers are using words capriciously and often incorrectly. If this trend continues, words will cease to have precise meanings, and thus cease to be conveyors of thought, expression, and philosophies. It is up to educators to reverse…

The essay in this text cover major areas of interest, development, and scholarship in the teaching of oral language. Selection was made on the basis of what would best illustrate the principle of integration among the language arts and provide the most instructive classroom application of that principle. The essays are presented in seven sections.…

The ability to communicate content effectively to others is important. Besides using various approaches and techniques to help pupils achieve optimum speaking fluency, language arts teachers must also determine students' present oral communication achievement levels and guide their progress accordingly. Approaches to teaching oral fluency include…

As communication/English curricula pass from a period of great diversity to one of greater centrality, educators need to find a more reasoned direction to guide curricular decision making. Many of the current reports on the state of education refer to the importance of oral communication skills, but such skills have not received their rightful…