A study of the manner in which a teacher's arguments can present different messages about authority to learners is discussed. Two analyses of the concept of teaching are examined and the emphasis upon rationality in Western culture is placed in historical context. An analysis of the form of arguments is presented, including an argument-pattern…

The speech of elementary school teachers in two contexts (adult-adult conversation and the classroom) was examined for the use of stance-indicating devices, i.e. ways of conveying one's attitudes towards a proposition; independent evidence supports the notion that teachers' perception of social distance between themselves and their listeners…

Although in favor of developmental psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the author cautions about possible results of using moral reasoning discussions in the classroom. These include: (1) indoctrination, (2) moral authoritarianism, (3) relativism, (4) the "morality as medicine" syndrome, (5) and the "doing Kohlberg"…

This article presents a study that analyzed audio taped transcripts of students' interaction in two different kindergarten settings. Findings presented indicate that early classroom socialization has a significant impact on the communicative patterns of young children. Comparisons are made between open classroom and traditional classroom…

Research is reviewed on nonverbal behavior, in particular that related to the glance, facial expression, bodily movements, and personal space. Some implications for communication between teacher and students are considered and some suggestions are presented to teachers for eliminating nonverbal cues by which they may unwittingly communicate…

This article describes two types of classroom process research (process-product and descriptive) which are being funded by the National Institute of Education, and it analyzes the trend toward a greater emphasis on descriptive research. (MM)

In this essay, some thinking and research about language is discussed in relation to the socialization of children and to the shaping of the school curriculum. The author concludes that the communication gap between schools and students, an important force for socialization, grows larger every day. (JMD)

Contends that a linear approach to a social justice curriculum cannot be developed because subject matter requires allowance for unanticipated objectives and outcomes to emerge during the course of study. Thus, different models of curriculum development are appropriate for different subject matter. Considers views of social justice represented in…

Activities to help students overcome shyness in getting acquainted and speaking in class are offered by a high school teacher. (MF)

This study investigates "wait times" in elementary science classes-the pauses between a teacher's question and a student's answer and between a student's answer and a teacher's response. Among the findings were indications that longer "wait times" promote increased student participation in problem solving, decision making, the structuring of the…

Replicates an earlier research attempt to determine the methods used to teach English in British secondary schools. (MH)

An analysis of differences in lexical usage among children of different socio-cultural milieux. This study uses other sociological and linguistic studies. It includes twenty-three tables, and presents in conclusion the results obtained, differentiation of the groups and the problems posed by isolation of only one variable. (Text is in French.)…

A description of a study whose object was to analyze the oral language used in class by nine-year-olds from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The procedure, results and the linguistic characteristics according to situation are described. Several statistical tables are provided. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Suggests that the traditional method of observing teachers and classrooms used by researchers should be abandoned. (Editor/RK)

This article discusses nonverbal communication in its relation to teaching of foreign languages. Nonverbal communication is defined, evaluated, and discussed in terms of function, teacher personality, training techniques, and class arrangements. (CHK)