Communication takes place when a speaker conveys new information to the listener. In second language teaching, information gaps motivate students to use and learn the target language in order to obtain information. The resulting interactive language use may develop affective bonds among the students. A variety of classroom techniques are available to turn more traditional classroom texts and instructional materials into an interesting challenge for students, especially at the university level. The basic procedures involve providing students with situations in which one student is in a position to say something his partner doesn't know. Through information gaps, each group member plays a vital role in group interactions because each has a vital link in the chain of information to be gathered. These techniques take the form of word games, word deletion, songs and poems, pairwork, small group work, jigsaw compositions, and variations using audiovisual aids. Advantages of the approach include increased classroom interaction and confidence. The principal disadvantage is the amount of time needed for the teacher to adapt existing materials. Some materials that can make this job easier are already available. A list of useful textbooks and video/computer software is attached, and 20 references are cited. (MSE)