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English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 3
Baseball is the focus of this issue. "Baseball: A National Tradition" offers an in-depth look at this popular American sport, while the Lesson Plan provides activities to interest students in baseball. Other articles in this issue discuss teaching critical thinking to prepare EFL students for university success, setting up oral homework, using mobile phones in the language classroom, and an innovative way to use literature to teach advanced EFL students.

Baseball is the focus of this issue. "Baseball: A National Tradition" offers an in-depth look at this popular American sport, while the Lesson Plan provides activities to interest students in baseball. Other articles in this issue discuss teaching critical thinking to prepare EFL students for university success, setting up oral homework, using mobile phones in the language classroom, and an innovative way to use literature to teach advanced EFL students.

Format: Text
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For international subscriptions of English Teaching Forum please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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

From Passive Learners to Critical Thinkers: Preparing EFL Students for University SuccessExpand

This article explains how the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC) revised their curriculum to best prepare EFL students for English-speaking universities. After completing a needs analysis on how to best serve their students, the committee decided to make a more interactive classroom environment in which teachers integrated the four skills, used critical thinking activities, taught grammar in context, and used various methods of assessment. Feedback showed that both the students and the teachers responded positively to the changes.

Author: Mahmuda Yasmin Shaila and Beth Trudell
Format: Text
Availability

For international subscriptions of English Teaching Forum please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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.

How to Set Up Oral Homework: A Case of Limited TechnologyExpand

This article discusses the benefits and challenges of having students complete oral homework as a way to practice speaking skills. The author explains the technology necessary as well as steps to follow when using this type of homework when designing a course. Also provided is a detailed list of assignments that can be completed orally (as an individual or in a group) and how a teacher can give feedback on this work and keep records.

Author: Elba Méndez
Format: Text
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For international subscriptions of English Teaching Forum please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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.

Twenty Ideas for Using Mobile Phones in the Language ClassroomExpand

Educators need to learn how best to use the increasingly popular mobile phone technology to support learning in the language classroom. This author outlines the benefits as well as potential problems and solutions of mobile phone use, giving twenty practical ideas for classroom activities, such as using a voice recorder to capture conversations outside the classroom.

Author: Hayo Reinders
Format: Text
Availability

For international subscriptions of English Teaching Forum please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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.

The Trans-Cultural Comparative Literature Method: Using Grammar Translation Techniques EffectivelyExpand

This article explains the trans-cultural comparative literature method, which uses elements of communicative language teaching (CLT) and grammar-translation (GT) while comparing two culturally different texts. This method focuses on grammar and vocabulary, but also gives students a chance to analyze different cultures. An overview of CLT and GT is followed by guidelines for the trans-cultural comparative literature method and sample lesson plans for its use.

Author: Destan Sapargul and Valerie Sartor
Format: Text
Availability

For international subscriptions of English Teaching Forum please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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.

Baseball: A National TraditionExpand

This article, written for language learners, gives an overview of the sport of baseball, known as America’s “national pastime.” The author describes the history of the sport as well as how to play it. The author talks about the types of people who play baseball, from young children to the major leagues, as well as baseball’s role in pop culture. Also included are a brief glossary, websites of interest, and a look at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Author: Phyllis McIntosh
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.

Lesson Plan: Baseball Stories, Cards,and InterviewsExpand

This lesson plan offers an opportunity for students to practice their language skills and learn more about the sport of baseball. There are three activities (that will take at least one class period each) aimed at a variety of levels. Students create baseball cards of themselves and flash cards about the sport, and participate in interview role-plays as famous baseball players. Extension activities are included.

Author: Harry Samuels
Format: Text
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For international subscriptions of English Teaching Forum please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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.

The Lighter Side: Baseball Terms with Everyday MeaningsExpand

This matching activity offers students words that are related to baseball but also have a second meaning. They must match the term with both meanings.

Format: Text
Availability

For international subscriptions of English Teaching Forum please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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.