Opportunities for expressing his thoughts clearly in writing and speaking, and reading and listening with understanding

Abstract

Professor Griño was Chairman, Department of English, Central Philippine University. She returned from a year's research-study as a Fulbright-Hayes research scholar, working with Dr. H. A. Gleason, Jr., Hartford Seminary. She was also a former Barbour Scholar, University of Michigan, where she specialized in English language and linguistics.

There are other ways than language by which man may effect communication with others, but when we speak of communication skills, we invariably think of language — and the various versions by which its use is made manifest.

It seems to me that we belabor the point somewhat when we insist on saying again why we think that language is important, but if for no other reason, we must make sure that we all agree to certain assumptions and assertions as valid points of departure for our discussion.

Today, our preoccupations in life are no less than they ever were. We still want to feel that man can transcend the limits of time and space and self-hood. Today, more than ever, we need the continuity of information that language provides, for communication (verbal communication, that is) — seems to be our last instrument of hope for peace and well-being in community life.