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English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 1
This issue features Hawaii, and a lesson plan guides teachers in exploring Hawaiian culture, and their own cultures, with their students. Other articles discuss integrating indigenous cultures into English language teaching, integrating critical thinking into language teaching, using story boxes in the classroom, and learning to hypothesize through Sudoku game play.

This issue features Hawaii, and a lesson plan guides teachers in exploring Hawaiian culture, and their own cultures, with their students. Other articles discuss integrating indigenous cultures into English language teaching, integrating critical thinking into language teaching, using story boxes in the classroom, and learning to hypothesize through Sudoku game play.

Format: Text
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U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.
 

Table of Contents

Integrating Indigenous Cultures into English Language TeachingExpand

The authors present a variety of EFL lesson plans focused on various cultures of the world (e.g., Bantu storytelling, Maori tattoos, Native American star quilts). Teachers are encouraged to help students connect with their own cultures to keep them alive.

Author: Susan C. Barfield and Joëlle Uzarski
Format: Text
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U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Mind Mirror Projects: A Tool for Integrating Critical Thinking into the English Language ClassroomExpand

Students often have difficulty 'reading between the lines.' This article suggests the use of mind mirror activities as a tool to improve students' critical thinking and learning skills (e.g., analysis, categorization, clarification, inferencing). The author describes a successful five-day group project from his own classroom that ended in students sharing their work through poster presentations.

Author: Matthew M. Tully
Format: Text
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U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Using Story Boxes in Language LearningExpand

This article outlines how to bring stories alive through the use of story boxes (or bags). The author suggests that teachers use easy-to-find materials such as shoeboxes or pizza boxes. These can be filled with a variety of small surprise items related to the content. The teacher or the students can find items for these boxes. Story boxes can easily be moved and stored. They can be used in identifying themes or for vocabulary and grammar exercises, and they work well with learners of all ages.

Author: Rita Collins
Format: Text
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The E-pet: Enhancing Motivation in E-portfoliosExpand

The authors wanted to make EAP portfolios more engaging and personal for students, so they introduced an e-pet to accompany the online portfolio program. The e-pet (much like a tamagotchi) grows from an egg into adulthood when the students interact with it through portfolio submissions. Teachers reported that students were enthusiastic about the e-portfolio and the e-pet. Student questionnaires showed a similar trend, with several students saying that the e-pet made the portfolio project motivating. The article includes directions for e-portfolio design.

Author: Ananya Tuksinvarajarn and Richard Watson Todd
Format: Text
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Learning to Hypothesize with Confidence through Sudoku Game PlayExpand

According to the author, the game Sudoku offers a useful way to teach students in an EFL environment. Students learn the important words and grammar connected to language functions of confident hypothesizing and making logical conclusions. When students solve the Sudoku puzzles, they are asked to use modal verbs of certainty (e.g., must, can) and colloquial phrases such as "I bet that..." to communicate. The author provides lesson templates.

Author: Y.L. Teresa Ting
Format: Text
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Reading to Speak: Integrating Oral Communication SkillsExpand

Although students want to practice speaking English, they do not have many opportunities to do so in the Chinese EFL system. This often results in something called 'mute English.' This article suggests a greater integration of skills through reading to speak activities. The author includes activities for reading to act, reading to debate, and reading to interview. These activities move students away from a focus on form, allowing students to be creative and build fluency.

Author: Yun Zhang
Format: Text
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Hawai'i: The Aloha StateExpand

This reading about the geography, history, and culture of Hawaii can be used with this issue's lesson plan or on its own. The author includes information about the Hawaiian Islands and offers illustrative, culturally sensitive photographs. Larger sections describe Hawaii's tourism industry and history. The author includes a glossary of Hawaiian vocabulary.

Author: Edward F. Klein
Format: Text
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Lesson Plan: Cultural Crossroads: Hawaii and BeyondExpand

This content-based lesson plan is about ethnic/cultural heritage and diversity in Hawaii. It also encourages students to explore their own cultures. The author includes four activities (listening and speaking, small group discussion, place-based group work, and role play). Ideas are also provided for multi-session lessons that encourage students to revise and communicate.

Author: Jean Kirschenmann
Format: Text
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