Temperature transient curves of molten tellurium have been measured by a laser flash method in the temperature range from 773 to 1173 K. The thermal diffusivity was calculated from the temperature transient caused by the laser pulse. Numerical fittings of the data were used to obtain both the thermal conductivity and specific heat as functions of temperature. The temperature-dependent specific heat results agree well with the previous published data. The thermal diffusivity and conductivity indicate a structure change in the liquid phase. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.