One experimental and three varied control groups (a total of 340 fourth graders) were used to investigate the effectiveness of a listening skill developmental unit produced by the Midwest Program on Airborne Television Instruction (MPATI). Results from an analysis of the effectiveness of the unit in developing skills of listening comprehension,…

To determine to what extent listeners respond to the vocal content of "how" of spoken messages, this study investigated the effects that the two vocal variables or rate (speed) and intensity (loudness) had on the responses made by 445 English-speaking high school students to messages spoken in an unfamiliar tongue. The basic messages were recorded…

In the language-experience approach to reading instruction, communicative skills are viewed without distinction among listening, speaking, spelling, and writing. The children learn to conceive of expression and reception of expression as natural parts of experience, rather than as separate tasks that occur during a break in regular activity. The…

Since the norm-referenced grading system produces a student-teacher conflict situation, a climate and grading system conducive to supportive interaction seems desirable, especially in an interpersonal communication course. This can be accomplished through contract grading, in which the instructor defines the contract components and the student…

Contained in this curriculum guide are a rationale, performance objectives, techniques, and activities for the teaching of listening and speaking skills in the primary grades. In an introductory chapter basic terms are defined and the need for a study of listening and speaking skills is emphasized. Chapter two review the literature on the nature…

The effectiveness of the CIRCUS language instruments for determining language comprehension and performance in the 4- and 5-year-old child is discussed. In these instruments, the use of content words is primarily studied through the use of single-word measures, such as a picture vocabulary test and an auditory discrimination test, whereas the use…

The papers in this collection present a description of, and the results of, research in Work Unit REALISTIC. In addition to the first paper which is an overview, the three papers are: "Psychometric Determination of Relationships Among Literacy Skills and Job Proficiency,""Reading Ability, Readability, and Readership: Identifying…

A series of experiments explored the feasibility of substituting listening for reading requirements in Army training and jobs, with special reference to marginally literate, AFQT Mental Category IV men. Results of these experiments and related earlier research are summarized. Major findings indicate that high and low aptitude men may learn certain…

Designed to measure the acceptability of foreign accents, this study describes the parameters of the stereotypes and credibility that Southwest American listeners attribute to French and Spanish accented English Speech. The paper is divided into four main sections--a review of the literature pertinent to the study topic, a description of the…

The purpose of this project was to explore and more carefully design studies of adjective-related structures and processes as they emerge during development in children between the ages of 4 to 8, since the salient characteristics in speech at this age tend to compare and contrast objects encountered in their environments. A group of 40 black and…

The main purpose of this pilot study is to describe the Communications English (CE) program that was designed to help underachievers gain competence in communications skills. The subjects were 75 tenth graders assigned to three CE classes and 75 Regent English (State recommended English syllabus) tenth grade students. Based on diagnosis of pretest…

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of auditory memory tests to predict reading achievement of elementary pupils. Auditory memory was defined as the ability of an individual to reproduce digits, letters, sounds, words, or serial commands, immediately and correctly, in sequential order, after having heard them only once. One hundred…

Published and unpublished studies of factors related to reading comprehension in business communication are briefly summarized. Factors considered include organization of copy, format and appearance, graphics, distractions, reading time, listening versus reading, reader attributes, and readability. (AA)

The first of a three-volume final report contains results of six studies on teaching visually impaired students (grades 4-12) to use recorded reference materials. It is explained in the first study that 36 blind Ss demonstrated an acceptable level of proficiency in using dictionary and encyclopedia materials after being trained on the Aural Study…

Reports on experience with aural comprehension exercises in beginning English. Some children's stories, well known in England, were presented to the students, using three different approaches. At the end of the article, two of the stories are presented. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)