This study builds upon previous research investigating the construct validity of phraseological complexity as an index of L2 development and proficiency. Whereas previous studies have focused on cross-sectional comparisons of written productions across proficiency levels, the current study compares the "longitudinal" development of…

This article presents a new perspective on how to think about interculturality and education from the perspective of a native society in the Paraguayan Chaco. It highlights how formal schooling reaffirms the model of unidirectional relations advocated by national society. Within this model, indigenous peoples and persons are not allowed to…

Oral presentations are frequently used to assess EFL learners. There is a dearth of studies on learners' attitudes and the perspectives of EFL instructors toward oral presentations for assessment, specifically in the Saudi EFL context. This study aims to investigate EFL instructors' attitudes and practices toward oral presentations as an…

Task modality (oral vs. writing) has been found to affect the production, nature and resolution of the language-related episodes (LREs) produced by adult learners in collaborative interaction, a finding also attested in very recent and still limited research with young learners, a population that deserves greater attention in the literature.…

This longitudinal study investigated development of second language (L2) reading comprehension ability and predictive contributions of five L2 reading components (word recognition speed, listening comprehension, vocabulary breadth, grammar knowledge and first language [L1] reading comprehension) using latent growth curve modelling. The…

While there are a wide range of English for academic purposes (EAP) programs and plentiful teaching materials published for the EAP classroom, teachers still are faced with the task of developing their own materials as well as adapting materials created by others. Limited research has been carried out on the development and use of EAP materials,…

This study examined the response of two students in the Southwestern United States with autism spectrum disorder and IQ in the intellectual disability range to a comprehensive, text-based reading intervention. The intervention, "Friends on the Block," includes multiple strands of literacy providing explicit instruction in phonics,…

Fluency is an important part of research on second language learning, but most research on language proficiency typically has not included oral fluency as part of interactions even though natural communication usually occurs in conversations. The present study considered aspects of turn-taking behavior as part of the construct of fluency and…

At the babbling stage, the syllable does not have the temporal characteristics of adult syllables because of the infant's limited oro-motor skills. This research aims to further our knowledge of syllable duration and temporal variability and their evolution with age as an indicator of the development of articulatory skills. The possible impact of…

Supporting young students' oral language development is vital in ensuring their future success as readers. One important way that early childhood teachers can foster language development is by having extended conversations with students. The authors share research about the importance of rich teacher-student conversations and explain how less…

This paper reviews how the construct of oral fluency in a second language (L2) has been defined and researched over the last twenty-five years. The emerging picture is somewhat kaleidoscopic, as domains of cognitive, social, individual and linguistic influences on L2 speech have been opened up for study. L2 fluency research presents a wealth of…

Given the importance of communication skills, the high incidence of communication apprehension felt amongst accounting students is concerning. Much research has investigated apprehension towards oral communication and has confirmed public speaking as the mode which raises the greatest fear amongst students. Despite widespread evidence of this…

In typical development, gestures precede and predict language development. This study examines the developmental sequence of expressive communication and relations between specific gestural and language milestones in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who demonstrate marked difficulty with gesture production and language. Communication…

The purpose of the present study was to address the extent to which narrative intervention improved late talkers' ability to generate personal narratives and the extent to which the effect of narrative intervention was maintained after three weeks of no intervention. Three late-talking preschool children participated in this narrative intervention…

A two-year targeted intervention designed to improve students' oral communication skills in an organic chemistry laboratory course is described. The study compares the oral communication skills of groups who received interventions versus those who did not. The collaborative effort involving chemistry and English faculty and an instruction…