This session, "Integrated Skills: Combining Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Grammar," addresses an integrated approach to teaching speaking, reading, listening, writing, and grammar skills. First, we will identify some challenges associated with combining language skill areas, and we will discuss options for overcoming these challenges. Next, we will explore how to develop and implement a variety of multi-skill instructional options including meaningful grammar activities, dynamic reading relays and jigsaws, interactive writing games, engaging speaking activities, and high-interest listening tasks. By the end of the session, participants will have developed a toolkit for conducting more interactive, learner-centered lessons that motivate students and hold their interest—teachers will be ready to adapt and use these innovative ideas immediately!

Teacher’s Corner: Comic Books for Learning
In this article, teachers will explore ways in which comic books can be used effectively in the classroom.

FORUM: Using Comic Strips in Language Classes
The author of this article discusses how comics can motivate younger learners, provide a context for language learning, and aid in comprehension through visual literacy.

FORUM: Student Storytelling through Sequential Art
This article provides helpful advice for teachers interested in using sequential art as a source of authentic reading material in their classrooms.

FORUM: Creating Cartoons: A Learner-Centered Approach to Comprehending Texts
This article carefully describes the technique of having learners create cartoons based on a reading passage to explore their understanding of the passage and to help teachers reflect on what the learners comprehended.

Here are some comic book resources to use in your classroom or home.  

Zonk! Comics for the Classroom

Zonk 1 and Zonk 2, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Peru, created by professional comic illustrators Benjamin Ilka and Fabricio Rivas, showcase local talent from students and teachers across Peru. The goal is to get students and teachers excited about sharing their knowledge of local culture through comic book stories as a way to improve the language learning experience and enhance critical thinking skills. The stories come from communities across Peru, but they are intended to reach people around the world. The books have practical tips to adapt each story for use in your classroom or home. 

Trace Effects Comics

Text: These comics follow Trace on his adventures throughout the United States. Geared toward young people, Trace Effects exposes users to American society and explores themes related to entrepreneurship, community activism, empowering women, science and innovation, environmental conservation, and conflict resolution. 

Why English? Comics for the Classroom 

The stories in Why English? Comics for the Classroom – written by teenagers and young adults – will appeal to learners of all ages. These stories provide an enjoyable opportunity to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening, speaking, and writing. The stories and exercises together are a whole-language anthology designed to improve communication skills. This book provides exercises that employ the cooperative/collaborative learning philosophy and address multiple learning styles.  

Teacher's Corner: Reported Speech

This lesson plan uses the Trace Effects comics.  

Kürşat Cesur describes six games for beginning English students that you can play with a single set of cards (a sample set is provided). This article is available online only.