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English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 2
This issue opens with articles on merging environmental education and language instruction and “Film Circles.” The “Reflections” section features “From Unity to Diversity… to Diversity within Unity” by Diane Larsen-Freeman...

This issue opens with articles on merging environmental education and language instruction and “Film Circles.” The “Reflections” section features “From Unity to Diversity… to Diversity within Unity” by Diane Larsen-Freeman, accompanied by her 1987 article on language-teaching methodology; it also includes “Rediscovering Curiosity, Imagination, and Humor in Learning,” an introduction to previously published articles on curiosity and comprehension (1977), using jokes for communication (1996), and an imaginative approach to teaching writing (1986). An Earth Day photo spread and Classroom Activities highlight environmental issues.

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Table of Contents

Going Green: Merging Environmental Education and Language Instruction Expand

This article discusses content-based instruction (CBI) and the theme of environmental awareness in the classroom. It addresses not only recycling and preservation of resources, but also integrating English skills and controversial issues into real-world situations. The article presents teachers with examples of group activities and opportunities for critical thinking and encouraging responsibility among their students.

Authors: Staci Hauschild, Elena Poltavtchenko, and Fredricka L. Stoller
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Film Circles: Scaffolding Speaking for EFL Students Expand

This article describes action research that pre-service teachers conducted regarding successful communicative activities. The teachers created a collaborative project incorporating Film Circles—groups of five students assigned roles according to their abilities and interests—that utilized scaffolding and communicative teaching to motivate students to engage in critical thinking and developing speaking skills.

Authors: Crissa Stephens, with Rocio Ascencio, Ana Luisa Burgos, Tatiana Diaz, Jimena Montenegro, and Christian Valenzuela
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From Unity to Diversity… to Diversity within Unity Expand

Author Diane Larsen-Freeman revisits the claims she made in her 1987 article for Forum where she noted a unified approach to language teaching. Today, she sees a different pattern of “diversity within unity.” The article examines the concept of diversity in such topics as the importance of culture in language learning, patterns of learner language, multidimensional teachers, and teaching methods.

Author: Diane Larsen-Freeman
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From Unity to Diversity: Twenty-five Years of Language Teaching MethodologyExpand

Reprinted from a 1987 issue of English Teaching Forum, this article by Diane Larson-Freeman describes methodological developments in the field of English language teaching over the previous 25 years. This overview of methodology includes discussion of such topics as syllabus design, English for Special Purposes (ESP), content-based approaches, culture, the Comprehension Approach, the Communicative Approach, assessment procedure, and subject matter.

Author: Diane Larsen-Freeman
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Rediscovering Curiosity, Imagination, and Humor in Learning Expand

This  piece introduces three previously published articles that speak to the effectiveness of teaching the English language through curiosity, imagination, and humor.  The articles introduced are “Curiosity and Comprehension,” “Using Story Jokes for Real Communication,” and “An Imaginative Approach to Teaching Writing.”

Author: Jennifer Uhler
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Curiosity and ComprehensionExpand

This article, originally published in 1977, offers teachers techniques to pique students’ curiosity, making a case that curiosity spurs comprehension and initiative.

Author: John H. Montagu Butler
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Using Story Jokes for Real Communication Expand

English language teachers all face the obstacle of getting their students to speak in conversational English. This article, originally published in 1996, explores the use of jokes as a way to get natural conversation going in and out of the classroom and provides activities for teachers to use with their students. 

Author: William DeFelice
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An Imaginative Approach to Teaching Writing Expand

Writing in a foreign language can be daunting. This article, originally published in 1986, explores the key to tackling the challenging task: motivation.  The article includes 11 activities that encourage students’ creativity.

Authors: Carmen Manuel Cuenca, Rodrigo Fernández
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Earth Day PhotoExpand

This is a photograph of people cleaning up trash alongside the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in observance of Earth Day.

Format: Image / Poster / Maps
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Classroom ActivitiesExpand

This "Classroom Activities" features three stand-alone language-learning activity related to the theme of spring.

1. 'Lessons from Silent Spring' is designed for students at the Upper Intermediate/Advanced level and is based on the book Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson.

2. 'Spring Cleaning' is designed for students at the Upper Beginner/Intermediate level and gives students a chance to practice vocabulary related to household chores. In the activity, students also carry out a basic survey.

3. 'In Like a Lion, Out Like' a Lamb designed for students at the Beginner/Upper Beginner level and gives descriptions of three games that can be used to help students practice and remember vocabulary.

Author: Jennifer Hodgson
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The Lighter Side: Dare to ReadExpand

This puzzle offers 20 scrambled words that all relate to “things people read.”

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