This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 21 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: the relationships among psychological differentiation, situational context, and linguistics; the effect of cognitive complexity and audience attitude on persuasive…

This paper discusses the theory and practice of the notional syllabus, three specific problems arising from it, and an experimental course proposed as one way of implementing it. Basically, a notional syllabus aims to organize language teaching in terms of the purposes of communication. Its foundation is a system of notional categories and the…

The 17 articles in this collection deal with theoretical and practical freedom of speech issues. The topics include: freedom of speech in Marquette Park, Illinois; Nazis in Skokie, Illinois; freedom of expression in the Confederate States of America; Robert M. LaFollette's arguments for free speech and the rights of Congress; the United States…

The interlanguage hypothesis stresses that errors are a normal part of the language learning process. At the same time, in the view of many, the teacher has a responsibility to provide short cuts for the learner through appropriate corrective feedback. Conventionally, this has been taken to imply correction of expression by requiring repetition of…

It is possible to communicate effectively in a second language in spite of highly deviant pronunciation and grammar as long as messages are semantically coherent and message forms are reasonably appropriate. Until now, research in second language acquisition has focused principally on the processes through which non-native speakers move towards…

Materials for acquiring minimal communicative competence have to serve a double purpose: learning of comprehension on the one hand and of expression on the other. Because there is so little available data on the exact nature of the communicative function of language, it is difficult to construct authentic communications. CINAO (a beginning course…

The examination for the C.A.P.E.S. (Certificat d'Aptitude Professionnelle a l'Enseignement Secondaire) includes a ten-minute "precise and concise" oral talk on a short story. The presentation is to be prepared in a short time and delivered in a polished manner. Because of the high failure rate, an experimental course is being designed at the…

The study described here sought to identify and define "learning behaviors" characteristic of those adult students who were highly successful in acquiring listening and speaking fluency in French in an intensive language training program. Data were collected from behavioral observation of students in the classroom, in-depth interviews with them,…

Pilot, field, and final tests in listening and in speaking knowledge, skills, and attitudes for Alberta (Canada) students in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12 were constructed, using the following steps: (1) selection and validation of high-priority measurable objectives; (2) review of existing tests and related literature; (3) pilot test construction,…

Teaching functional French is discussed with instructors of groups of foreign workers in mind. It takes as its starting point two "modules" for teaching French ("the highway code at driving school" and "starting and keeping small talk going") and uses them to exemplify some of the difficulties involved in the development and classroom use of…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 21 titles deal with the following topics: the language, communicative styles, and speech patterns of blacks and non-blacks; the prereading concept acquisition of Spanish-dominant kindergarten children; the self-concept and…

TO EXTEND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES TO EVERYBODY BECOMES INCREASINGLY MORE IMPORTANT, AND CORRESPONDENCE TEACHING CAN CARRY EDUCATION TO THOSE OTHERWISE OUT OF REACH. CORRESPONDENCE COURSES, WHATEVER THE SUBJECT, MUST GUIDE, AID, TRAIN, AND TEST THE STUDENT. ALTHOUGH THE INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENT DO NOT MEET, THEIR WRITTEN EXCHANGE…

To extend educational opportunities and services to everybody becomes increasingly more important, and correspondence teaching can carry education to those otherwise out of reach. Correspondence courses, whatever the subject, must guide, aid, train, and test the student. Although the instructor and the student do not meet, their written exchange…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 18 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: a comparison of mother/child and father/child interactions; state anxiety responses in high and low speech anxious subjects; variables that predict listening…

Oral language development in early childhood education is concerned with conceptual development as well as with skill formation. There seems to be an order in which most children learn to verbalize basic concepts. This guide lists classroom activities that may be used to facilitate and enhance the conceptual development of kindergarten children in…