Growth-orientation of a crystal on a semiconductor device is achieved by using an oriented seed layer to grow a monocrystalline layer of silicon on an oxide. The oriented seed layer is provided by a regimented layer of silicon precipitates, which are deposited onto a surface of the oxide in a conventional aluminum-silicon deposition process. A film of silicon is deposited onto the oriented seed layer to grow a monocrystalline layer of silicon. The monocrystalline layer of silicon is further coated with an oxide, and a further seed layer is deposited. In this manner, a plurality of monocrystalline layers of silicon can be deposited on and between insulating layers of oxide. The method can be used for the manufacture of silicon-on-oxide transistors, having a low density of crystalline defects.