Maintains that teaching phonetics should be aimed at enabling the learner to correct himself and that intonation, rhythm and suprasegmental phonemes have commonly been neglected. Describes the value and use of the SUVAG-Lingua Frequency Filter for correcting pronunciation, individually and in groups. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Hesitation serves many purposes, allowing us to choose and combine words better, make discourse more cohesive and regulate its flow, and think. Frequency and length varies with the cognitive activity, but is not always easy to interpret. Foreign language instruction can help students interpret hesitations and use them to advantage. (MSE)

This book is intended for all educators who work with reading and writing skills. The book combines Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences and recent brain research on reading and writing with historical, anthropological, biographical, and psychological perspectives on literacy. It pulls the research together to show how teachers can engage…

Metrical phonology, a linguistic process of phonological stress assessment and diagrammatic simplification of sentence and word stress, is discussed as it is found in the English and German languages. The objective is to promote use of metrical phonology as a tool for enhancing instruction in stress patterns in words and sentences, particularly in…

This report describes a program for improving reading skills of first graders. The targeted population consisted of a blue-collar community located in western Illinois. Many of the families had a language barrier. The problem of below grade level readers was documented through assessments and teacher observations. An examination of causes revealed…

This is the fifth paper published by The Centre for Literacy in its Working Papers on Literacy series, which presents new perspectives on literacy-related topics relevant to researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. This paper was adapted from a longer manuscript submitted by Kieran Egan in 1999 for the UNESCO Award for Research in Adult…

This study treats the child's vocal and rhythmic development immediately subsequent to birth and forward, and shows how this development relates to musical learning. (Author)

Indicates that a behavioral approach, utilizing an electronic metronome in speech and motor activities, is highly effective in reducing the occurrence of stammering in children and adults. Bibliography. (RW)

Briefly reviews psycholinguistic research, describes six categories of utterance, and reports on research into the relationship between level of thought and length of speech. Results indicate that both teachers and students take successively longer to express higher-cognitive types of utterances. (EAO)

Different types of stress, rhythm, and intonation used by Nigerian speakers of English are analyzed, and lexical differences are discussed. Problems with vowels, consonants, and syllable structure are also covered. (SW)

Tape-recorded conversations provide a basis for analysis of fixed expressions, cliches, filled pauses and false starts in spontaneous speech. The meaning of these findings for second language learning and instruction is discussed. (CHK)

A study of 45 African American boys and 45 White American boys (ages 8-10) investigated differences in typical speaking fundamental frequencies (SFF) and standard deviations of the SFF. Results found no significant differences for modal SFF but did find that 9- and 10-year-old African American boys exhibited greater variability in pitch sigma.…

An essayist shares ideas on the making of good speeches. Elements recommended include establishing rapport early, structuring the speech well, using language for movement, making the most of the occasion, focusing comments carefully, phrasing well, communicating purpose, having a theme, avoiding problematic vocabulary, and arriving at completion.…

A variety of classroom activities using songs to enhance French language learning are described. Strategies include sensitizing learners to aspects of the music; looking at themes, key words, and symbols; and manipulating music and language in relation to current cultural issues. A list of singers and themes is offered. (MSE)

Describes how a seventh-grade teacher introduced her students to poetry by having them create performances of rhythmic poems. Describes how her students created moving performances of poems and responded to poetry with deeper and more personal insights than she had ever seen. Describes students' public poetry performances. Offers examples of…