Technology-enhanced language learning, or TELL, has played a major role in boosting EFL learners' speaking skills in recent years. The use of online technological methods such as vlogging and uploading videos to popular social networks such as YouTube, in particular, has been recommended as a tool to hone students' conversation skills in addition…

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

One of the current approaches to teaching second languages is the communicative approach. To improve the use of this approach in Shimane, Japan, it is necessary to discover the extent to which it is being used and what is hindering its use. This study examined the situation by asking native and non-native English postsecondary instructors to…

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)

Analyzes the importance of conversational gambits and routines in achieving second language communicative competence and then presents a model which uses telephone conversations as a means of achieving this goal. Exercises for drilling and testing gambits and routines are also presented. (Author/CB)

An approach to foreign language instruction was worked out to meet the needs of high school students who were preparing to participate in an international exchange program with French students. The approach uses a combination of the notional-functional syllabus and the regular grammar and vocabulary lessons. Examples in French are provided…

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)

Conversation cards are a basis for guided role play and are used for reviewing a foreign language unit. After two or more units, conversation cards are combined into extended conversations (conversations libres). Two detailed examples are given of conversations libres and some sample conversation cards are appended. (LMO)

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…