The claim that multiple-birth children use "twin language" was investigated by describing and comparing the phonological characteristics of the speech of 19 sets of multiple birth children (aged 2-4) and by measuring multiple-birth children's understanding of their twins' or triplets' context-free speech. Results indicated that multiple…

A specific standardized test of language proficiency, the Grammatical Analysis of Elicited Language (GAEL), for hearing-impaired children was used to examine language usage between the tester and the child. Results from a two-part test (imitated and prompted) show that communicative competence needs to be incorporated into the test as part of…

The functions of oral language in university English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) composition classes are explored using a case study of instructional discourse in five ESL writing classes. Findings indicate relatively little classroom talk developed to topic invention/development or to oral rehearsal of potential written text. Techniques for…

Ways that conversations among family members provide data useful for drawing conclusions about intrafamily relationships are examined. Unique contributions of both deductive and inductive paradigms to the study of parent-child interaction are discussed. Contains 65 references. (Author/LB)

Discusses (1) the new perspective on children's capabilities provided by focus on discourse; (2) conversation with an older member of the culture as a context for development; (3) links between linguistic and cognitive development; and (4) children as a member of a culture from infancy onward. Developmental changes and problems in discourse study…

Discussion of the development of oral language skills for elementary age children highlights the use of well-known folk tales such as "The Story of the Three Little Pigs" to involve a group in an oral language experience. The use of puppets is described, and props and resource materials are suggested. (LRW)

School-aged, hearing-impaired children's propensity for incorporating complex syntax into the narratives and conversations they produced was investigated. Language samples containing both conversations and narratives in the form of story retellings were collected from seven subjects with moderate-to-severe hearing losses. (48 references) (VWL)

This study investigated the relationship between reading comprehension and oral storytelling abilities in 31 Latino junior high school students with learning handicaps. Although comparison of the standard scoring protocol and reading comprehension revealed no relationship, a significant correlation was found between story structure analysis and…

A study examined the occurrence of specific grammatical structures (double object pronouns, nominalization with "lo," demonstrative adjectives/pronouns, and possessive adjectives/pronouns) in oral samples of native speaker Spanish and compared the results with the treatment of the structures in six beginning-level college Spanish textbooks.…

The controversial oral English Bagrut examination is seen as a means to prepare students for their written Bagrut exam, specifically to encourage the active use of the English language. (LB)

Describes strategy for teaching culture and conversation at the third- and fourth-year undergraduate level using authentic documents as the primary materials. The medium chosen for this course was the French chanson, but similar strategies may be applicable to any modern language using the culturally appropriate materials. (eight references) (LET)

After noting limited interest in the teaching and/or testing of paralinguistic features of spoken English, this article describes a test that includes a number of items uttered differently, which students are asked to interpret. Suggestions are offered regarding test administration, test items, and student evaluation. (five references) (LB)

Examines the impact of the Sekani (British Columbia, Canada) homeland's village, economic, and political reorganization on cultural and language maintenance, focusing on why the Sekani speak English when there is little direct contact with Euro-Canadians and no particular advantages. (Author/CB)

Examination of the oral errors produced by advanced learners of English as a Second Language found that, in spite of many years of classroom instruction and ongoing exposure, errors were still frequent and found to be highly concentrated in specific categories such as lexis and preposition choice. (10 references) (CB)

Describes an alternative approach to traditional English-as-a-Second-Language presentation of the (Z) and (D) morphemes. Learners from different backgrounds and proficiency levels who used orthography-based approaches improved their oral accuracy to the extent that performance differences resulting from disparate language backgrounds disappeared.…