Words artificially isolated from 12 parents' speech to their children aged 1;10-3;0 were significantly less intelligible to adult listeners than words originally spoken to an adult. While parents did not adjust the clarity of words, their speech was more redundant in anticipation of the children's comprehension. Research implications are…

Three- and four-year-old children were tested in their comprehension of locative prepositions. Results showed that those prepositions characterized as positive were comprehended less well than their ostensibly negative counterparts, contrary to theoretical predictions. An explanatory hypothesis concerning children's developing spatial…

Analyzes data from natural settings and controlled experiments in order to describe native speakers' responses to questions asked by nonnatives and discusses what variables of a nonnative's speech might elicit these responses. (EKN)

Reading and listening comprehension tasks were combined in exercises using related printed and taped texts. Linking the tasks enables the student to use whichever skill is stronger to boost performance in the weaker skill. The technique is outlined and methods of adapting it to other teacher situations are discussed. (MSE)

A study investigated the hypothesis that poor comprehension or recall of task demands, rather than a putative lack of goal directedness, is a possible source of learning-disabled children's poor performance of experimental tasks. Clear instructions substantially facilitated performance by both normally achieving and learning disabled children of…

The effects of three modes of story reconstruction training on the development of children's story comprehension are examined. One hundred and eight children in grades K-2 were assigned randomly to one of three training conditions: thematic-fantasy play, adult-lead discussion, or drawing. (Author/PN)

In the English Language Training Unit of the Bank of Canada, the duties performed by an individual worker are examined closely and a language-use profile developed. Authentic recordings of specific problematic occupational situations are used and found to be highly motivating in training. Examples of exercise discourse are given. (MSE)

The impact of a grade two enrichment program in a French immersion course is evaluated. Small group activities under the supervision of a parent, grade six students, and a grade two monitor provided opportunities to practice French in a stimulating environment. Significant oral skills gains were measured. (Author/MSE)

Examines the effect of redundancy of information on the intelligibility of hearing and deaf children's speech. Based on intelligibility scores obtained for a set of words presented both in context and in isolation, suggests that the children do not use the same production strategies to assist listeners. (Author/MES)

Considers the role of oral language in reading and its implications for the primary grades teacher. Provides a number of activities that integrate reading, speaking, listening, and writing. (FL)

The study examined patterns of cognitive ability in 57 cleft lip and palate children (ages 7 to 9) with verbal deficit, but without general intellectual retardation to evaluate whether the verbal disability displayed by these children was related primarily to a specific verbal expression deficit or a more general symbolic mediation problem.…

Among 157 rural second graders, girls' scores exceeded boys' and Whites' scores exceeded Blacks' in four language competence areas (listening comprehension, paradigmatic language, sight vocabulary, reading achievement). While White girls scored higher than White boys except in the paradigmatic language measure, Black children scored almost…

Discusses research supporting the contention that listening fluency should be taught first and oral response delayed because languaqe acquisition takes place without any overt performance. Includes extensive bibliographic references. (PMJ)