By evaluating the 112 responses to a questionnaire sent to 241 speech teachers in 17 states, an attempt was made to identify the peculiar instructional problems confronting the high school speech teacher in classes composed of both Indian and non-Indian pupils. Teachers cited eight distinct student problem areas, including feelings of social…

On the basis of theoretical reflection and personal experience, this paper offers five guidelines for fostering dialogical learning experiences in consulting in the field of communication. After a discussion of the author's dialogical learning experiences in overcoming communication problems with his father, the paper provides these guidelines:…

Introduces a symposium aimed at providing a practical compendium of advice to teachers in communication for helping alleviate common communication problems among students in a classroom. (JMF)

Noting that stagefright has been the subject of intensive analysis and subjected to almost every conceivable test or measurement without revealing either its "cause" or its "cure," this paper presents vocal exercises to help combat the performance malady. After listing four principles concerning the nature of stagefright (it is…

In preparing urban teachers to become effective classroom communicators, urban speech teachers should involve their students in interpersonal communication within an intergroup context whenever possible. Students must be taught to become sensitive to word choice, aware of the importance of verbal and nonverbal codes, and more empathic. To…

Provides practical information for those interested in implementing a communication apprehension program: (1) description of 24 communication programs; (2) glossary of various methods used to treat communication apprehension; and (3) classified bibliography arranged by treatment method. (PD)

Aided by her advisor, a communication apprehensive college senior majoring in speech communication at a small rural college developed a project designed to help herself and other apprehensives through cognitive modification. Six students enrolled in a speech communication course who were classified as communication apprehensive by the Personal…

A study tested a delivery skills method of instruction for reducing public speaking anxiety. Subjects were 59 male and 71 female undergraduates (ranging in age from 17-49) enrolled in a basic public speaking course at a midwestern university during the 1986-87 academic year. The Personal Report of Public Speaking Apprehension (PRPSA) which…

Introduces and comments on articles in this symposium issue. Contends that speech teachers have methods to overcome communication problems. Challenges them to sort their methods out, test and phrase them in clear language, document assertions from their own classroom investigations, and eventually build a theory to help people improve their…

A study investigated speech anxiety in the basic speech course by means of pre and post essays. Subjects, 73 students in 3 classes in the basic speech course at a southwestern multiuniversity, wrote a two-page essay on their perceptions of their speech anxiety before the first speaking project. Students discussed speech anxiety in class and were…

Findings demonstrated that the reason students enrolled in a Speech Confidence Laboratory was to improve their speaking skills and to reduce their fear of speaking. Although findings indicated that the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) was not the decisive factor influencing students' enrollment, the PRCA is an adequate…

Presents an annotated bibliography of 37 ERIC resources from "Resources in Education" and "Current Index to Journals in Education," categorized under three headings: General studies on communication apprehension; Communication apprehension in school populations; Communication apprehension in college and adult populations. (PD)

Reminds speech teachers that characteristics of voice and articulation are important only to the extent that they impede accomplishment of communication goals. Students' problems in articulation, voice, and rate of utterance should be considered in this context. (JMF)

THE DESIGN OF THIS STUDY WAS TO DISCOVER BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS AMONG THE ACHIEVERS AND UNDERACHIEVERS AMONG MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN WHICH WILL DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THEM FOR PREDICTIVE PURPOSES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULUMS. THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES WERE TO ESTABLISH (1) PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENTAL BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN WITH RETARDED MENTAL…

When two upstate New York teachers analyzed the problems attending student presentations, it became clear that only students with Quadrant 2 (analytical) learning styles were comfortable listening to an oral report. After their gifted fifth and seventh graders created a 4MAT wheel, their new insights helped generate possible solutions to common…