Explicit classroom correction of the second language learner's errors is unnecessary, because errors are indications of the learner's current hypothesis, which may not necessarily match the target rule, or they may indicate that no hypothesis has yet been formulated by the learner. Explicit correction may be harmful because students can be pushed…

It is proposed that the role of teacher language in instructional effectiveness be included in teacher training as part of language across the curriculum. Of the three aspects of "teacher-talk" identified (physiological, interpersonal, and pedagogical), the pedagogical aspect is highlighted as the basis for a model of teacher-talk…

Good language teachers do not frighten students away by overwhelming them with the target language, but take pains to create student confidence in their ability to speak the language, beginning in the first class period. They present the language in such a way that students can interact with it immediately. This may mean that teachers must talk…

This research deals with a series of preliminary studies of the management of questions by second language learners of Swedish. Question management here refers to the ability to produce an utterance which successfully elicits a response from an interlocutor, and the ability to determine correctly when a response is required. The three exploratory…

Research Funded by the Central Fund for Research, Pennsylvania State University (Grant (Grant No. 151).

Ninety-three preservice elementary teachers volunteered to participate in an investigation designed to study and change their attitudes toward science teaching. The purpose of the investigation was to: (1) test a persuasive communication that had been designed using Hovland's framework, (2) question the relevance of the consistency principle for…

A review of the research of E.G. Mishler, H. Mehan, and others suggests that a unified theory of the mechanics of how continuous discourse is accounted for in classroom behavior is necessary for further study. Discourse analysis meets the criteria for selection of a theoretical framework because it deals with all the language within the classroom…

A study was designed 1) to develop and test a conceptual model for viewing teacher-pupil communicative relationships in the classroom, 2) to determine if systematic observations of teacher behavior are useful in analyzing communication events, and 3) to determine if data on teacher nonverbal and verbal behavior are more useful than on verbal…

The study was designed to develop, test, and refine a model of teaching behavior for teachers of a first course in algebra. The model described five categories of teaching behavior which should be exhibited by algebra teachers. To aid in observation of these behavior categories, a modified Flanders interaction Analysis instrument was developed and…

Ten papers constitute the major portion of this book: "The Classroom Teacher, Mental Health, and Learning," Robert E. Bills; "The Development of Selected Aspects of the Mental Health Movement in Teacher Education," Ralph H. Ojemann; "What Psychology Has To Offer to Teacher Education," Carl R. Rogers; "Conceptual…

This paper is a preliminary report of a small research project undertaken to follow up some observations of Head Start classes. The project, which is in the early stages of developing procedures and techniques, hopes to investigate the preliminary observation that teachers' verbal responses to children have the function of ending a child's…

Classroom interaction, both student-teacher and student-student, provides a stimulating atmosphere for literature and creative writing discussions. Various recent research studies support the thesis that literature is an important influence on children's creative writing. Thus, teacher directed discussions require special skills involving not only…

Sociolinguistic data regarding code selection and nonverbal modes of learning are examined in the gesture communication system of the (Oglala and Brule) Sioux. Sign language is viewed as an extra-linguistic mode of communication currently in use in Indian classrooms. It is one alternative to literacy as a means of communication; however, this is…