The purpose of this study was to explore whether students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) could develop enhanced expressive speech acquisition through intervention via "Precision Songs" (Kantz & Kantz, 2004) and an eclectic curricula versus using only an eclectic curricula. Three hypotheses guided the study: (1) there is no statistically…

This article is an exploration of the available applications for speech to speech real-time translation software for use in the classroom. Three different types of machine language translation (MLT) software and devices are reviewed for their features and practical application in secondary education classrooms.

During the past decade, instructors of speech communication have been adapting the introductory speech course to keep up with the television age. Learning units in speech textbooks now teach how to speak well on television, as well as how to interpret speeches in the media. This article argues that the computer age invites adaptation of the…

This study explores what classroom behaviors and activities in the basic speech course contribute to student connectedness. The results indicate that student encouragement, humor, honesty, interactive exercises and individual speeches, can help student bonding and motivation, and impacts their overall college experience.

This study provides a rationale for the claim that communication instruction is critical to students' future personal and professional success. Thematic analysis of 93 journal and newspaper articles, reports, and surveys provide evidence of the centrality of communication in developing the whole person, improving the educational enterprise, being…

The purpose of this study was to examine college students' perceptions of their teaching assistants' self-disclosure behavior in the classroom. Students in the introductory speech course rated their teaching assistants' self-disclosure based on positive and negative statements. In addition, student rated the self-disclosure on intent to disclose,…

Six recommendations that instructors can employ to encourage effective classroom code-switching practices among Black English-speaking students in the basic communication course are discussed. These include reconsidering attitudes, communicating expectations, demonstrating model language behavior, affirming students' language, creating culturally…

Although the class in advanced public speaking is a mainstay of communication instruction, little scholarship has addressed the nature of expertise in public speaking or the instructional techniques by which it is imparted. The present study conducted in-depth interviews with 23 active college teachers of advanced public speaking, inquiring…

Replicating earlier studies, 66 English as a second language speech students at a community college undertook content-based second language learning in psychology, sociology, and history. End-of-semester assessments showed they had improved second-language confidence and learned academic subject matter; most agreed sheltered courses were a useful…

This paper presents steps for incorporating research into a community college public speaking class curriculum. It outlines, from an historical perspective, the different techniques and tools of research, including face-to-face contact, the printing press, modern machinery, and computers. It suggests discussing research surveys and taking students…

This paper aims to show how Canadian hiring policies affect, and actually impede, the creation and maintenance of "speech" communication programs in Canada. The paper notes that when Canadians think "communication" they think media or mass communication--which makes sense since few Canadian universities teach courses in speech communication, or…

Advocates that dialogue is a tool that transforms those that are involved in it and that it can create or improve relationships. Claims that Catholic schools should teach students how to have effective dialogue skills. Gives seven suggestions on how Catholic schools can change the status quo by nurturing dialogue. (MZ)

This paper addresses the question: how might those engaged in the mission of training secondary Speech-education teachers create a "pedagogy of authentic civic action" in light of current standards legislation that functions more to perpetuate a liberal republic than it does to vivify (and articulate) an authentic democracy? The arena of K-12…

This paper discusses the extent to which epideictic speaking is treated in communication skills courses in the discipline. Noting that the genre receives little emphasis in textbooks and basic courses in the field, the paper questions whether students are being optimally served by current pedagogical practices. The paper first summarizes…

Upon the request of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Florida State University (FSU) is required to enact a program designed to graduate students with a certain degree of oral communication competency. While communication majors and minors are required to enroll in a public speaking course, no student at FSU has the option…