Cover Image of Shaping the Way We Teach
Expand
Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World
A teacher-training course consisting of fourteen video-based modules. Each modules is a ten to fifteen minute video segment with examples.

Shaping the Way We Teach English is a teacher-training course consisting of fourteen video-based modules with a supporting training manual and supplementary resources. Each modules is a ten to fifteen minute video segment with examples from classrooms and educators around the world. Each module also has corresponding readings and support materials that can be printed and copied. Some of these examples are from primary level classes, while others are from secondary and post-secondary level classes.

Format: Text, Video, Website
Availability

Pages: 154
Size: 6 x 9 in.
GPS Invoice No: G0377-E

How to order:
Outside the United States, print copies of the publications in this catalog may be requested by contacting the Public Affairs or Cultural Section of the nearest U.S. Embassy. We cannot guarantee, however, that all publications will be available at every office.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is prohibited from distributing its print materials in the United States by the Smith-Mundt Act.

Table of Contents

Module 1: Contextualizing LanguageExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on contexualization, which is the meaningful use of language for real communicative purposes. It helps students understand how language users construct language in a given context. Teachers can contextualize language instruction by organizing the content of the language curriculum according to themes or topics. These themes or topics work best when they are threaded throughout the course of study.

Format: Text, Video, Website
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 2: Building Language AwarenessExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on the details of the language within the context of language input. The focus is more on function, or the use of language in given situations, than it is on form, the linguistic details of language. Research has shown that selectively focusing on aspects of language use within a given context can be an effective teaching and learning practice. Language awareness, then, is more than a focus on form. It also includes the use of that form in context, which is called the pragmatic use of language.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 3: Integrating SkillsExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on the use of language skills together in social interaction. When we use language, we tend to use it as a whole, whether primarily listening, speaking, reading, or writing. All skills are needed in order to communicate effectively. Although there is a time to focus attention on just one skill at a time, the final goal is to use skills together for communication. For teaching effectiveness, the teacher who integrates language skills can make lessons interesting and motivating for students, creating a more active learning environment.

Format: Text, Video, Website
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 4: Pairwork/GroupworkExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on pair and group work.

Format: Text, Video, Website
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 5: Learner FeedbackExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on formative feedback. Formative feedback is continuous, and it can encourage or discourage the learner. Teachers need to learn how to use techniques that encourage learners and that give them confidence and to avoid using techniques that discourage learners, that embarrass them, or make them feel “stupid.”

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 6: Managing Large ClassesExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on how to manage large classes and covers the following areas: pedagogical planning, classroom learning systems, and discipline management.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 7: Learning StrategiesExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on language learning and communication strategies and metacognitive and cognitive strategies that aid students in learning a second language.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 8: Authentic MaterialsExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on guiding teachers on how to choose and use printed texts (books, newspapers), images (photographs, posters), and multimedia (audio, video, computer programs) as authentic materials.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 9: Critical and Creative ThinkingExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on guiding teachers on how to bring critical and creative thinking into their classrooms.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 10: Alternative AssessmentExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on alternative assessment, which is a type of evaluation that directly evaluates learners' language skills; examples include portfolios, journals, peer feedback, and interviews.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 11: Individual Learner DifferencesExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on how teachers can vary teaching approaches and techniques to help facilitate learning for a wide variety of students and student needs.

Format: Text, Video, Website
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 12: Younger Learners (K-5)Expand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on using teaching techniques that are most effective with younger learners (ages 5-10 or from Kindergarten to Grade 5).

Format: Text, Video, Website
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 13: Peer ObservationExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on peer observation.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.

Module 14: Reflective TeachingExpand

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on reflective teaching, which is thinking about what happens in the classroom, both in terms of the teaching itself, and in terms of the learner response, and then, trying to improve it.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

A hardcopy of this section is available as part of the full resource.

See Hardcopy Information for the Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World.