Examines the empowerment of women by focusing on the use of teacher-centered power in the classroom. Distinguishes between coercive and benevolent use of authority and shows how students, particularly nontraditional students, may benefit by a benevolent use of teacher-centered power in the classroom. (19 citations) (MAB)

States that educators have argued for a kind of teaching that helps students to comprehend complex ideas. Considers that this kind of teaching might be important to low-income, cultural-minority students learning a second language, many of whom are at risk for underachievement in school. Proposes that "instructional conversations" might…

Discusses the use of the original text of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," a simplified version, and a comic-book version of the play in a college-level English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) course. The results indicate that multiple versions of a text can help offset the shortcomings of using only the original text or a simplified version. (three…

Argues that teachers need to become more aware of the types of discourse they use in their classroom and become better able to distinguish between discourse patterns that promote second-language learning and those that do not. Provides a checklist for the self-assessment of teacher discourse patterns. (eight references) (MDM)

Discusses the responsibility of teachers and caregivers to provide high quality feedback to parents by using a parent feedback form (included). Suggests that the form can play a significant role in structuring expectations for both parents and teachers. It can serve to guide parents in what they may expect to see in their child's class and help…

Analyzes a short excerpt from a high school physics class discussion to consider the value of the students' work as inquiry and to illustrate a teacher's negotiation of the tension between inquiry and traditional content-oriented concerns. (MDM)

Most classroom messages come from nonverbal communication. By consciously controlling their own nonverbal expressions, presenters can maintain positive relationships with the audience while managing participants' attention, transitions, and directions. This allows educators to teach content more effectively. The paper examines the importance of…

This article discusses theories about knowledge and schooling and describes democratic classrooms. Students need empowerment to have a voice in curriculum design and governance. Schools that foster student voice must establish conditions for democratic talk in class. Students must be taught to respect others; they cannot be allowed to denigrate…

Use of insights from the speech communication discipline can strengthen college teaching effectiveness, including abandoning the safety of the lectern and listening carefully to student thoughts, teaching without notes, and exemplifying respect, genuineness, and empathy in the teacher-student relationship. (MSE)

Examines whether communication occurring in a second-language classroom setting sufficiently ensures development of full target language competence. The ability of 2 English-as-a-Second-Language students to "request" in English was followed over 15-21 months. Results indicated that the classroom did not provide the conditions necessary…

A scale of processes found most constructive for second-language learning was validated with two groups of adult French students. Instruction of one group included use of the scale. Pre- and posttests of language learning and use of processes suggest that unsuccessful language learners can be taught to improve performance. (31 references)…

Twenty-two secondary students with learning disabilities were successfully taught the principles of scientific reasoning. Using student-teacher dialogs, students analyzed information presented in magazine articles and advertisements. Students improved their ability to identify the principal claim made in an article or advertisement, graph the…

Describes the experiences of two teachers as they examined transcripts of children's conversations in book sharing sessions. Finds that the common ordinary exchanges which initially worried the teachers frequently served definite and significant purposes. (SR)

Examines classroom discussions of Jerry Spinelli's novel "Maniac Magee" to see how literature discussions can help both teachers and students understand and express their own and others' cultural and social identities. (SR)

The role of teacher-talk in Botswana primary schools is discussed in view of evidence that pupils' contributions are outweighed by those of their teachers. The development of a genuinely bilingual model of education is advocated in which both teachers and pupils make full use of their linguistic resources. (17 references) (Author/LB)