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Communication, Small Groups, and the Interview in the FL Classroom
Author(s) -
Dvorak Paul F.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.1978.tb00729.x
Subject(s) - psychology , foreign language , natural (archaeology) , class (philosophy) , process (computing) , pedagogy , mathematics education , communicative language teaching , language education , computer science , artificial intelligence , archaeology , history , operating system
Individualizing instruction and developing communicative skills have been focal points foreign language teaching over the past few years. One area that needs closer attention is the relationship between communicative materials and small groups. An examination of existing communicative techniques and the size of the group in which they are employed reveals that few exercises involve the student efficiently and adequately in the questioning process itself. Thus, there has been a failure to provide what should be an important element in communicative exercises. A look at the interview technique in small groups shows how this shortcoming can be removed by emphasizing skill‐getting and skill‐using in a natural setting. To date, most discussions of the interview technique have concerned themselves only with affective goals, large groups, or outside‐of‐class activities. Active student participation in the questioning process with appropriate guidance by the teacher promotes a natural exchange of information and is easily adaptable to all levels of language classes.