Examines materials in the ERIC database that provide suggestions for assessing children's language development that enhance rather than inhibit their natural language growth. (EL)

Reaffirms the view of language represented by the term "communicative competence" as it is used in linguistic research. Criticizes the view of language use reflected in the Provisional Proficiency Guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (SED)

Using the German language as an example, argues that the emergence of written language results from social needs and the individual needs these include, which are in turn conditioned by concrete historical circumstances. (HOD)

Apart from the official or academic "culture," there is also the popular culture to pass on, which is based on oral traditions, practical creativity, and daily life activities. These three aspects of popular culture are mutually reinforcing, demanding the same kinds of competence and using similar modes of transmission and communication. (MSE)

Argues that songs, by their very nature, appeal to children and that the use of picture books with song lyrics can play a special role in reading instruction for all types of learners. (FL)

Presents arguments for oral language work in classrooms that go far beyond "the principal means of human communication" justification. Topics discussed include relationships between oral language and literacy, intelligence, problem solving, cognition, "the hypothetical mode of learning," and personality growth. Recommendations…

Thirty-two children (grades 1-3) of limited English proficiency participated in creative drama sessions over an eight-week period. Results of the study suggest that drama can be effective in stimulating syntactic growth and that interaction and purposeful communication are important in second-language instruction. (PD)

Describes a test developed by the Foreign Language Monitoring Project in Great Britain to obtain a national picture of pupils' performance in their first foreign language at age 13. The tasks included in the test are designed to reflect the language needs and experience of the pupils being tested. (SED)

Explores how dialog writing, in which two participants "converse in writing," incorporates the interactive aspects of oral communication and the self-directed aspects of essay writing. Includes passages written over a year's time by a sixth grade student in a "dialogue journal" showing the development of his writing. (HTH)

This book focuses on literacy development during the all-important Foundation Stage years. It is aimed at anyone who works with the three-plus age group -- nursery nurses, nursery teachers, Reception class teachers, nursery and Reception assistants and students practising in day nurseries, nursery schools or Reception classes. The book sets out…

This step-by-step manual can be used to guide primary-grade students through retellings. The following will be discovered: (1) Developmental retelling strategies that match the reading level of each student; (2) How to build the foundation for quality retellings with activities that help students understand a story's events, sequence, and…

This document, written in French, represents the final version of the curriculum for the study of French as a first language in Alberta's secondary schools. The curriculum addresses the following skills: Oral communication (listening, interaction, presentation); reading; and writing. An appendix provides a variety of charts, tables,…

This document, written French, represents the final version of the curriculum for the study of French as a first language in Alberta's secondary schools. The curriculum addresses the following skills: Oral communication (listening, interaction, presentation); reading; and writing. An annex provides a variety of charts, tables, questionnaires, and…

This study investigated the oral and written expression of 16 learning disabled students in a special education alternative high school. Students were offered two prompts: one written, one verbal. Written and oral responses were scored according to a rubric similar to that used for the New York State High School English Regents Examination.…

This historical review of the literature addresses the relationship between spoken and written language with respect to: (1) comparison and contrast of features; (2) the instructional program; and (3) the contributions of research. The review includes direct quotations of researchers in describing the studies to preserve each researcher's personal…