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American English Webinars
The American English Webinar and Facebook Live sessions are hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The American English Webinar and Facebook Live sessions are hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. These professional development sessions for English teachers around the globe address methodological topics that foster interactive, student-centered language instruction. Here you will find recordings from previous events that are 60-90 minutes long and include corresponding downloadable presentations and additional resources.

Format: Text, Video
Availability

Table of Contents

Proverbs & Quotables: Using Very Short Texts in Language LearningExpand

This webinar "Proverbs and Quotables: Using Very Short Texts in Language Learning" demonstrates why and how to use short texts in the language classroom. Proverbs  are wise and witty, they have stood the test of time, and they come from every corner of the world—sometimes bridging cultures, sometimes highlighting differences. But best of all they are short, which means they can be used for quick tasks that require few materials and little preparation time. In this webinar, teachers will discover the usefulness of proverbs and actively take part in a range of activities based on very short texts. This resource includes the online webinar recording, the downloadable presentation, and additional downloadable resources.

Author: Kevin McCaughey
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Out of Your Seat Grammar!Expand

This webinar "Out of Your Seat Grammar" demonstrates fresh ideas for introducing and practicing  grammar as well as blending communicative activities with assigned textbooks and curriculums. In this webinar, teachers will find lessons ideas that are easy, effective, and engaging and be provided tips for creating a comfortable class environment, giving clear directions, and modifying activities to fit various themes and levels. Teachers will find strategies and inspiration they can use immediately. This resource includes an online webinar recording and the downloadable presentation.

Author: Vicky Holdridge
Format: Text, Video
Availability

Webinar Recording:
Out of Your Seat Grammar!

Listen Up! Using Audio Books for English TeachingExpand

The "Listen Up! Using Audio Books for English Teaching" webinar highlights the benefits of using audio books in the classroom and beyond. Teachers will experience American English audio book resources and explore and participate in engaging activities that can be used in the classroom.  For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording, the downloadable presentation, and additional resources. Note: a portion of this webinar (on how to download audio book resources) has been removed. The Autobiography of Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, To Build a Fire and Other Stories, The Red Badge of Courage and Other Stories, The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories, Edgar Allan Poe Storyteller, and Raggedy Ann Stories can be found on American English.

Author: Jennifer Hodgson
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Art for All: Teaching Resources from the Metropolitan Museum of ArtExpand

"Art for All: Teaching Resources from the Metropolitan Museum of Art" webinar demonstrates ways experiences with works of art can support language development. This interactive session features an introduction to selections from the Met’s encyclopedic collection, strategies for engaging students with works of art, and an overview of related online resources available for teachers. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording, access to the MET museum website,  the downloadable presentation, and additional resources.

Author: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Education Department
Format: Text, Video
Availability

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Visit the Website

Unraveling the Mystery of Academic WritingExpand

This webinar "Unraveling the Mystery of Academic Writing" aims to raise awareness of the American English academic writing conventions. Discover key characteristics of the academic writing genre and explore the general structure of academic papers and articles. This session offers information and activities related to: generating and organizing ideas, writing for the reader, defining purpose, and writing the all-important introduction. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording, the downloadable presentation, and additional resources.

Author: Heather Benucci & Kelli Odhuu
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Using Evidence in Academic Writing: Avoiding Plagiarism Expand

This webinar "Using Evidence in Academic Writing: Avoiding Plagiarism" will examine cultural assumptions about the definition of plagiarism and how external sources should be used in academic writing. We will explore how and why EFL/ESL students can benefit from explicit instruction on referencing sources to avoid plagiarism. The presenter will share several practical tips and classroom activities related to teaching quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording, the downloadable presentation and additional resources.

Author: Heather Benucci
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Introduction to Reader's Theater for EFL ClassroomsExpand

This webinar, "Introduction to Reader's Theater for EFL Classrooms" demonstrates how to facilitate Reader's Theater and how to use Reader's Theater as an enriching and productive English language learning activity. Reader's Theater is a group read-aloud in which individuals perform level-appropriate scripts to tell a story cooperatively. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording, and the downloadable presentation.

Author: Karen de Caballero
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Teaching with Jazz ChantsExpand

This webinar "Teaching with Jazz Chants" demonstrates how to use Jazz Chants in the classroom. Jazz Chants are a unique way to teach stress and intonation in English. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording and the downloadable presentation.

Author: Shirley Thompson
Format: Video
Availability

Webinar Recording:
Teaching with Jazz Chants

Teaching Today's Learners: Oral Error Correction and Writing Effective AssessmentsExpand

This webinar "Teaching Today's Learners: Oral Error Correction and Writing Effective Assessments" gives practical tips and strategies for how and when to  correct oral errors. This webinar also demonstrates how to write effective multiple choice questions. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording and the downloadable presentation and resources.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
50 Years of English Teaching Forum: Teachers Collaborating WorldwideExpand

This webinar "50 Years of English Teaching Forum: Teachers Collaborating Worldwide" discusses the history, features, and submission guidelines for the well-known journal, English Teaching Forum. This is a great resource both for teachers interested in using FORUM in the classroom as well as teachers interested in publishing an article.

Authors: Max Koller, Heather Benucci, Jennifer Hodgson, Tom Glass
Format: Text, Video
Teaching Spoken English with The Color Vowel ChartExpand

This webinar Teaching Spoken English with The Color Vowel Chart introduces teachers to a visual tool that provides teachers and learners with a common point of reference for identifying stress and vowel quality, concepts useful not only in teaching pronunciation, but also vocabulary and listening comprehension. Techniques and activities on how to use The Color Vowel Chart in the classroom will be demonstrated. For this webinar, you will find an online version of The Color Vowel Chart, the online webinar recording, and the downloadable presentation and resources

Authors: Shirley Thompson, Karen Taylor
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Activate: Games for Learning American EnglishExpand

This webinar "Activate: Games for Learning American English" introduces teachers to the Activate resource, demonstrates classroom management techniques for playing games in the classroom, and offers tips on how teacher's can create their own games that match their curriculum objectives. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording and the downloadable presentation and resources.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Activate: Games for Learning American English Part 2Expand

This webinar Activate: Games for Learning American English Part 2 is the second webinar that introduces the Activate resource, demonstrates classroom management techniques for playing games in the classroom, and offers tips on how teacher's can create their own games that match their curriculum objectives. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording and the downloadable presentation and resources.

Author: Jennifer Hodgson & Kevin McCaughey
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Discovering Grammar with Consciousness-Raising TasksExpand

This webinar "Discovering Grammar with Consciousness-Raising Tasks" introduces  consciousness-raising task (CR tasks), which encourage students to notice characteristics and patterns related to form, meaning, and/or use while actively exploring the target grammar feature.  This webinar will examine this inductive approach to grammar teaching through several activities that address a variety of grammar topics and student proficiency levels. For this webinar, you will find an online webinar recording and the downloadable presentation and resources. 

Author: Heather Benucci
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Easy Reading Activities to Engage StudentsExpand

This webinar explores how to engage students and help them develop the skills needed to make them better readers. The presenter demonstrates how to help struggling readers delight in reading while improving their comprehension, speed, and vocabulary through interactive classroom activities and practical strategies that encourage critical and creative thinking.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Oh What Fun! Learning English with O'HenryExpand

Many of us are familiar with the valuable moral of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, but what about the other kinds of lessons that can be drawn from this treasured story? And what can be learned from some more of O. Henry’s wonderful stories?

In this webinar, participants will explore ways to help students learn language, culture -- and those important morals, too! -- through a collection of O. Henry’s most famous short stories. Using text and audio formats, participants will explore suggested classroom activities focused on reading strategies and literary devices, debate and discussion, vocabulary and cultural themes – all available for free from the U.S. State Department’s American English Website.

Format: Website
Availability
Teachers Helping Teachers: Peer Observation for Professional DevelopmentExpand

Most EFL teachers have had the nerve-wracking experience of being observed for evaluation purposes, either during teacher training or as part of an institutional performance review. This webinar will explore how teachers can turn this stressful situation into a positive professional development opportunity by engaging in collaborative peer observations. Peer observations enable teachers to share teaching techniques, to supportively explore classroom challenges, and to mentor each other. Together we will examine how to structure and conduct peer observations, discuss how to create an environment that promotes trust and growth, and identify the benefits of being both the observer and the observed teacher. The webinar will also demonstrate features of the new Shaping the Way We Teach English: From Observation to Action video-based resource for EFL teachers.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Integrating Pronunciation Across the CurriculumExpand

While it is natural to incorporate pronunciation activities into oral skills classes, many opportunities exist in reading, writing and grammar courses to introduce and reinforce pronunciation concepts as well.  In this webinar, the presenter will introduce content-based pronunciation activities that could be used in a reading, writing or grammar course.  She will give ideas about how these activities could be integrated to help students develop more clear and accurate pronunciation.

Author: Char Heitman
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Creating Community OnlineExpand

This session, "Creating Community Online," explored strategies for building community in the online English language classroom. The session highlighted some of the differences between synchronous and asynchronous learning and how each learning format can be effectively used. We also examined how to adapt important classroom management practices, such as monitoring work and giving feedback, for the online classroom. We discussed how to create a plan that establishes communications-related expectations and how to build a positive class community by incorporating reflection. Finally, we explored activities and tools for enabling student collaboration.

Author: Heather Gaddis
Format: Video
Global Topics, Local TeachingExpand

This webinar, "Global Topics, Local Teaching," explains how to develop service learning activities in the classroom. Participants will learn about creating project proposals, presentations, service action plans and reflection activities. All of the lesson ideas are student-centered and can be adapted for both local and global issues.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Becoming a News Reporter: A Case Study in Project-Based LearningExpand

This session, "Becoming a News Reporter: A Case Study in Project-Based Learning," presents an example project in which students created television-style newscasts about community issues; participants consider how to overcome challenges associated with PBL and how to develop meaningful project ideas for their own teaching contexts.

Author: Jeremy Beal
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Effective Grammar Teaching: Balancing Input and OutputExpand

This session, "Effective Grammar Teaching: Balancing Input and Output," aims to help you enrich classroom time by examining how to incorporate the practice of real language into grammar lessons. The session will consider what “real communication” means and the motivating impact that creativity and opportunities for personal expression have on successful language learning. Participants will work with a template for a sample lesson plan that incorporates communicative tasks and balances opportunities for language input and output. The activity ideas and practical steps outlined in this session are applicable for classes of any age, ability level, or level of access to technology.

Author: Spenser Lemaich
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Changing English: What Teachers Should KnowExpand

This webinar "Changing English: What Teachers Should Know," demonstrates the ever-changing nature of English and what teachers need to know in order to successfully keep up! All languages evolve, but with the number of second-language English speakers outgrowing native speakers, we are starting to see new forms of the language. In addition to that, technology is altering the way we think about teaching, learning, and accessing other languages. Where is English heading? And most importantly, for us educators, how should we rethink the way we teach? Regional English Language Officer Kevin McCaughey will offer some answers. 

Author: Kevin McCaughey
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Teaching Hospitality and Tourism: Building Leadership, Communication, and Intercultural AwarenessExpand

This session, "Teaching Hospitality and Tourism: Building Leadership, Communication, and Intercultural Awareness," explores the benefits and challenges of teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and will share practical ideas for how to prepare students for careers in hospitality and tourism.

Author: Serena Chu-Mraz
Format: Text, Video
Two Frameworks for Teaching Culture and Critical ThinkingExpand

This session, "Two Frameworks for Teaching Culture and Critical Thinking," explores the rationale for including culture as a principled area for study in the language classroom followed by an interactive walkthrough of a lesson in which listening and intercultural awareness skills are developed. Two tools, the Cultural Elements Framework and the Cultural Knowings Framework by Dr. Patrick R. Moran, will be utilized to delve deep into a cultural mystery with the ultimate goal of developing students’ ability to form critical questions rather than instant judgments.

Author: Andy Noonan
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Building and Sustaining a Culture of BelongingExpand

This session, "Building and Sustaining a Culture of Belonging," explores activities to build student-student and teacher-student relationships within a language class setting that affirm students’ identities and improve students’ sense of belonging.

Author: Lindsay Lyons
Format: Text, Video
Student-Centered Speaking Activities to Increase Fluency and AccuracyExpand

This session, "Student-Centered Speaking Activities to Increase Fluency and Accuracy," focuses on activities that participants can use in teaching speaking in multi-level classes with students of all ages. Participants will receive step-by-step instructions for each activity so they are prepared to use them with confidence in their classes. Each speaking activity includes options for teaching different types of students. With some modification, each activity can be reused multiple times during a language course.

Author: Julie Vorholt
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Making Reading Fun: Engaging Pre-Reading Activities for ELLsExpand

This session, “Promoting Reading Fluency with the ACTIVE Framework,” explores the six elements of the ACTIVE reading framework, designed to systematically enhance reading skills in the EFL classroom. We’ll demonstrate practical, adaptable activities for each framework component!

Author: Ami Christensen
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Classroom 2.0: Tools for Digital LearningExpand

This webinar, "Classroom 2.0: Tools for Digital Learning," investigates terminology associated with digital learning, and encourages participants to consider how to evaluate and select tech tools for the EFL classroom.

 The webinar then explores several digital tools teachers can use to support students, deliver content, and create engaging activities in both face-to-face and distance learning contexts. 


Author: Jeff Kuhn
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Accommodating Learning Disabilities in the English Language Classroom Expand

This session, "Accommodating Learning Disabilities in the English Language Classroom," examines supportive instructional options, such as the inclusive classroom, universal design for learning, scaffolding, and peer-assisted learning strategies. Participants consider a variety of approaches that are beneficial for students with learning disabilities as well their non-disabled peers. 

Author: Jimalee Sowell
Format: Text, Video
Embracing Social Media to Engage Students and Teach Narrative WritingExpand

This session, "Embracing Social Media to Engage Students and Teach Narrative Writing," encourages insight into how incorporating social media platforms in the classroom makes narrative writing authentic, attainable, and enjoyable for students. This step-by-step demonstration will give participants the necessary skills to implement these engaging writing activities in their own classrooms or to share them with colleagues.

Author: Jennifer Borch
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Networking: Making Connections that LastExpand

Professional development can reinvigorate and excite us about our career, give us time to work on our craft, and allow for reflection on our past struggles and triumphs.  One important aspect of professional development is networking.  Having strong networking skills can make a huge difference in a teacher’s ability to confront many of the daily obstacles we face.  Globalization and technology has made our teaching community increasingly more connected, but even without access to more advanced forms of technology we have basic strategies to help us build our professional network.  This webinar will discuss how we can become more connected to our colleagues, both near and far, and how this can benefit us and our students in and out of the classroom.

Author: Amy Pascussi
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Tips and Activities for Creating a Communicative EFL Classroom Using Online Meeting SoftwareExpand

This session, "Tips and Activities for Creating a Communicative EFL Classroom Using Online Meeting Software," introduced several communicative EFL activities for instructional sessions conducted via video-based online meeting software. We explored practical ideas for fostering students’ confidence in their oral communication skills as they learn and practice online. We also discussed how to develop contingency plans to prepare for times when technology may fail or malfunction.

Author: Lea Gabay and Kelly Vassar
Format: Text, Video, Website
Availability
Cultivating Your English Vocabulary through STEM ActivitiesExpand

This webinar, "Cultivating Your English Vocabulary through STEM Activities," features vocabulary-teaching techniques grounded in a content-based instruction approach. Specifically, instruction will include how teachers can produce STEM-related language activities in the classroom, including instructional language about sustainable agriculture and gardening, global issues and critical thinking.

Author: Kevin Spence
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Implementing Peer Assessment in Project-Based LearningExpand

This session, "Implementing Peer Assessment in Project-Based Learning," discusses how to prepare for and conduct peer assessment during PBL so that learners can provide constructive, validating, and encouraging feedback to their classmates.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Communicative Grammar with Games for the Young LearneExpand

This session, "Communicative Grammar with Games for the Young Learner," examines three lively, communicative grammar games that help build grammar competence and speaking confidence in children without them evening knowing it! In addition, we look at developmentally appropriate ways to focus on grammar. These grammar games can be adapted for all ages.

Author: Wendy Coulson
Format: Video
Availability
Creating and Sustaining English Language Clubs to Enhance English LearningExpand

This webinar, “Creating and Sustaining English Language Clubs to Enhance English Learning,” provides a description of the wide variety of English Language Clubs around the world, club members, and the activities typically used at club meetings. In this webinar, the presenters also offer specific strategies for creating and sustaining clubs, problems and solutions that club leaders may encounter, and strategies for encouraging members to participate in the wide variety of activities. These strategies will promote language practice, conversations, and social change actions that members will find interesting and provocative.

Format: Text, Video
Integrating STEAM and English with Oral Language RoutinesExpand

This session, " Integrating STEAM and English with Oral Language Routines," demonstrates how oral language routines can provide a simple, flexible way to support students at any age or level as they learn to communicate effectively about technical, mathematical, and scientific ideas. 

Format: Text, Video
Using Games in the Classroom to Build Vocabulary and Grammar SkillsExpand

This session, "Using Games in the Classroom to Build Vocabulary and Grammar Skills," focuses on movement in the classroom. Participants will learn about fun games to help students improve their vocabulary and grammar skills!

Author: Kate Bain
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Four Reading Tasks to Promote Critical ThinkingExpand

This session, "Four Reading Tasks to Promote Critical Thinking," shares classroom-ready activities that can be adapted to encourage critical thinking in reading lessons for students of varying ages and proficiency levels. 

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Technology-Enhanced Task Engagement in English Language InstructionExpand

This session, "Technology-enhanced Task Engagement in English Language Instruction," defines what a task is and why tasks matter for language teachers and learners. The session will present six facilitators of task engagement that teachers can consider when developing language tasks; these facilitators are: authenticity, interest, social interaction, challenge and skills balance, autonomy and structure balance, and feedback. Finally, we will discuss a variety of ways that technology use can be integrated into tasks to support the facilitators of learner engagement. Technologies that may be mentioned include Newsela, TedxESL, Storyjumper, Pinterest, and others.

Author: Joy Egbert
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Classmates as Language Learning Allies: Activities to Encourage Student-to-Student InteractionExpand

This session, “Classmates as Language Learning Allies: Activities to Encourage Student-to-Student Interaction,” provides ideas and strategies for structuring pair and group work to maximize student-to-student engagement, which can be especially important in contexts offering limited opportunities for out-of-class English practice.

Author: John Kotnarowski
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Fun with Grammar: Bringing Language Learning to Life through GamesExpand

This Webinar, "Fun with Grammar - Bringing Language Learning to Life through Games," examines games that motivate students to learn from and engage in grammar activities. Grammar is an important aspect of language learning, but the focus of grammar instruction does not always have to be on directly teaching rules. In fact, research shows that students enjoy varied methods of learning English grammar. The games demonstrated in this webinar will help your students learn, review, and internalize grammar structures by making personal connections and having fun!

Author: Lauren Whitaker and Kate Bain
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Social-Emotional Learning For Multilingual Learners: Fostering GrowthExpand

This session, "Social-Emotional Learning For Multilingual Learners: Fostering Growth," engages participants in a rich dialogue about ways that social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies can help ELLs. The presentation provides background knowledge about SEL frameworks for ELLs and demonstrates a variety of classroom-ready SEL techniques.

Author: Luis Javier Pentón Herrera and Gilda Martínez-Alba
Format: Text, Video
Increase Student Motivation with Universal Design in Mind Expand

Increase Student Motivation with Universal Design in Mind," explores how incorporating a UDL approach can lead to classroom instruction that fosters creativity and student autonomy, while increasing learners’ motivation. Moreover, this session will provide a set of tools that EFL teachers can use to accommodate diverse student populations ensuring that all learners can demonstrate their understanding of classroom content.

Author: Rosa Dene David
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Strange Weather: Climate Change Activities for the English ClassroomExpand

One of the most pressing issues in our world is global warming, or climate change.  Is it happening?  How fast?  And what can we do?  Our presenters believe the first step toward solving a problem is knowing that there is a problem. This webinar will review key themes related to climate change and the environment and will provide relevant, thought-provoking activities and materials that teachers can easily use in their English language classes.

Authors: Kevin McCaughey, Eve Smith
Format: Text, Video
Unleashing Your True Teaching Power: Interaction in Online Learning EnvironmentsExpand

This session, "Unleashing Your True Teaching Power: Interaction in Online Learning Environments," demonstrates how to engage learners in online environments by transforming traditional classroom tools. Common techniques such as reading circles, interactive lines, information gaps, and jigsaws are ‘reimagined’ for the online setting. Teachers will not only see how researchers repurposed these activities, but will also reimagine their own favorite activities through the SAMR model for technology integration. A resource kit with activities ranging from warm-ups to guided and independent practice for reading, writing, listening, and speaking will be shared.

Format: E-book, MP3, Text, Video, Website
Empowering Your Students with Media LiteracyExpand

This webinar, "Empowering Your Students with Media Literacy," explores activities that help students ask key questions about the messages found in news and social media. Participants will examine specific media texts and engage in hands-on evaluation techniques that can be used in class with students.

Author: Joe McVeigh
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Alternatives to Classroom DebateExpand

This session, "Alternatives to Classroom Debate," explores the limitations of the traditional classroom debate format and introduces several alternatives ELT educators can use to cultivate the 21st-century skills their students need to discuss challenging topics.

Author: Stephanie Owens Upadhyay
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language ClassroomExpand

This session, "Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom," explores the popularity of illustrated stories among teachers and students alike and offers suggestions on how to use them to “animate” your classes. In addition to outlining some of the benefits and challenges of using these graphical texts, this session offers a number of activity ideas to inspire participants to integrate these creative resources into the way they teach reading, writing, critical thinking, visual literacy, and cultural competence. Resources such as comic strip generators and example comics will be shared.

Author: John Kotnarowski
Format: Text, Video
Availability
The Flipped Classroom: Preparing Students for In-Class Learning with Online ActivitiesExpand
This webinar, "The Flipped Classroom: Preparing Students for In-class Learning with Online Activities," explores ways to enhance student learning through online activities, specifically by modeling one of the latest trends in education today: The Flipped Classroom. The presenter will answer questions regarding which Open Education Resources (OERs) can be used when flipping parts of participants' classes, helping learners to become more autonomous, students' opinions about flipped learning, and how different technologies can be used to blend teaching and learning inside and outside of class. 
Author: Andrew Screen
Format: Text, Video
Activate 21st Century Skills with Board Games in the ClassroomExpand

This session, "Activate 21st Century Skills with Board Games in the Classroom", examines how playing board games can enable ELLs of all ages to develop authentic language skills while also practicing collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity!

Author: Jennifer Borch
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Dynamic Ways to Check Answers and Share Responses in the EFL ClassroomExpand

This session, "Dynamic Ways to Check Answers and Share Responses in the EFL Classroom," reviews ways to check answers and share responses in a variety of ways to keep students focused and engaged in their learning.

Author: Stephanie Owens
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Plurilingualism and Translanguaging Strategies for Language Teachers and StudentsExpand

This session, "Plurilingualism and Translanguaging Strategies for Language Teachers and Students," demonstrates how including students’ first language (L1) in the ELT classroom offers the potential for innovative and nuanced communication and understanding in both students’ L1 and L2 and shows activities that can be adapted for students of all ages and levels.

Author: Chris Hastings
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Foundations of TESOL MethodologyExpand

This session, "Foundations of TESOL Methodology," introduces key theories and practices in language teaching, and participants will improve their understanding of language teaching methods and principles. We will begin with an introduction to research-based instructional approaches to language education. We will then discuss different approaches to and purposes for language teaching. As we conclude, participants will have the opportunity to consider how they can apply the language teaching methods and techniques that were presented to their particular teaching context.

Author: Sarah Arva Grosik
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Adaptable Speaking Activities for Pairs and GroupsExpand

This session, “Adaptable Speaking Activities for Pairs and Groups,” explores several motivating speaking-focused activities that can be easily modified for different levels, student interests, and teaching contexts.

Author: Lynn W. Zimmerman
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Voice of America: Current Event Activities in the English Language ClassroomExpand

This webinar, "Voice of America: Current Event Activities for the English Language Classroom," explores today’s globalized world in the 24-hour news cycle, and the importance of teaching current events in the English language classroom. Viewers will learn how to use resources from Voice of America to teach current events in their English language classroom. They will also be exposed to the different educational podcasts and teaching content provided by Voice of America, as well as the strategies for incorporating these tools into their lessons.

Author: Philip Dierking
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Understanding Culturally Responsive Social and Emotional Learning in Language ClassroomsExpand

This session, "Understanding Culturally Responsive Social and Emotional Learning in Language Classrooms," explores the importance of leveraging our students' cultural backgrounds in the ELT classroom as well as the value that social and emotional learning (SEL) has on students’ academic and lifelong success.

Author: L. Erika Saito
Format: Text, Video
Assess and Motivate: Student Portfolios and Self-Assessments in the EFL ClassroomExpand

"Assess and Motivate: Student Portfolios and Self-Assessments in the EFL Classroom" explores the use of portfolios and self-assessments that document the completion of performance-based tasks as a great way to motivate students and measure learning. The session introduces different types of portfolios that can be applied across all levels and macro-skills. Participants will explore how to develop a variety of authentic tasks including different types of portfolios, self-assessments, and other performative tasks, construct a workable rubric to measure achievement, and increase student motivation via self-reflective assessment and instructor feedback.

Author: Nina Kang
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Practical Activities for Balanced Listening InstructionExpand

Listening is a challenging skill to explicitly teach and learn, but it is one of the most essential skills for L2 students and speakers.  Balanced listening instruction includes intensive and extensive listening, and practice with various subskills and strategies.  This webinar focuses on student-centered exploration of the listening process, rather than comprehension as a final product.  This webinar will introduce activities to develop students' listening skills in all of these areas; these activities can make your listening instruction both easier and more effective.

Author: Beth Sheppard
Format: Text, Video
Increasing Student Talk Time in the Online ClassroomExpand

This session, "Increasing Student Talk Time in the Online Classroom," discussed benefits of increasing student oral language use in virtual environments, and explored routines, activities, and tools that gave students a voice in their online classrooms.

Author: Christine Esche
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Connecting Reading and Writing in Grammar Teaching: A Functional ApproachExpand

This webinar, "Connecting Reading and Writing in Grammar Teaching: A Functional Approach," explores teaching grammar from a meaning-based perspective. Participants will learn key components of a functional linguistic approach to grammar teaching, analyze how particular words and sentences enact meaning, and consider the benefits of taking a functional approach when teaching English grammar. Participants will have opportunities to apply functional approaches to the classroom through close reading and unpacking language in authentic texts. Multiple classroom applications will be shared.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Opening and Closing Routines for Multi-Level Classrooms Expand

This session, "Opening and Closing Routines for Multi-Level Classrooms ," demonstrates how to create strong beginnings and endings during language lessons to help teachers meet mixed-level student needs as well as their curriculum requirements.

Author: Richard Silberg
Format: Text, Video
Enhancing Learner Motivation in the EFL ClassroomExpand

This session, "Enhancing Learner Motivation in the EFL Classroom," addresses how to enhance our own motivation as teachers and then explore ways to enhance the motivation of our students. We will anchor the discussion on Dörnyei’s framework of motivational teaching practices. The framework includes four essential components: (1) creating the basic motivational conditions, (2) generating initial motivation, (3) maintaining and protecting motivation, and (4) encouraging positive retrospective self-evaluation. These four components guide teachers in transforming the language classroom into a powerful learning environment.

Author: Neil J Anderson
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Making Learning Fun: Interactive Activities To Build Student Motivation and Engagement In Your ClassroomExpand

This webinar, "Making Learning Fun: Interactive Activities To Build Student Motivation and Engagement In Your Classroom," demonstrates how to spark students’ intrinsic motivation in the English language classroom. The presenter will outline tips for engaging your students in a meaningful way and present several student-approved activities that can turn even the dullest lesson into something fun! 

Author: Amy Rich
Format: Text, Video
Availability
The STAIR Framework for Interactive Online Activities Expand

This session, "The STAIR Framework for Interactive Online Activities," defines and explores the STAIR Framework, a four-part instructional design approach that builds dynamic student interaction into online or in-class activities.

Author: Stephanie Upadhyay
Format: Text, Video
The Pinwheel: A Classroom Design for Boosting Social LearningExpand

This session, "The Pinwheel: A Classroom Design for Boosting Social Learning," introduces the “Pinwheel” classroom structure. Helpful with any task, topic, and student level, the Pinwheel mechanism maximizes students’ talk-time while rotating contact and ideas among classmates. The Pinwheel is based on social and neurological theory and practice, however our webinar will focus on putting it into action in your very next class!

Author: Peter Edwards
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Integrated Skills: Combining Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing and GrammarExpand

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!

Author: Dieter Bruhn
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Bringing Grammar to Life with Experiential LearningExpand

This session, “Bringing Grammar to Life with Experiential Learning,” explores how to create authentic, communicative learning experiences when teaching English verb tenses; exciting approaches incorporating realia, role plays, group projects, and multisensory activities will be demonstrated.

Author: Amanda Hillard
Format: Text
Availability
Using Visual Literacy Skills to Encourage Communicative Language PracticeExpand

This webinar, "Using Visual Literacy Skills to Encourage Communicative Language Practice," demonstrates how to increase learner engagement in the English language classroom by incorporating visual literacy skills. As an authentic and culturally rich tool, visual literacy may also enhance communicative language practice, critical thinking skills, and vocabulary development. Examples of how to incorporate a variety of images into the classroom such as visual advertisements, infographics, and signage will be provided. Language exercises focused on globally relevant visuals will be given special emphasis along with guidelines for adapting them to different language levels.

Author: Katie Subra
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Engage ELLs with Social-Emotional Learning Through Group Work ActivitiesExpand

This session, "Engage ELLs with Social-Emotional Learning Through Group Work Activities ," demonstrates how weaving SEL competencies into lesson plans gets students using core cognitive skills to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention in the EFL classroom. 

Author: April Minerich
Format: Text, Video
Implementing Content-Based Language Instruction in your ClassroomExpand

"Implementing Content-based Language Instruction in Your Classroom" examines the needs of teachers who are currently using or interested in content-based language instruction (CBI) in the classroom. Participants will learn basic CBI concepts and examine methods to connect and integrate content learning and language instruction. We will look at sample materials and tasks for the classroom and consider how best to structure lessons. We will discuss methods for simplifying content to make difficult ideas easier to understand. We will also focus on the need for attention to subject-specific academic vocabulary. Finally, we will look briefly at different models for assessing student work in these contexts.

Author: Joe McVeigh
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Using Comics in the English Language ClassroomExpand

Using comics in the EFL classroom is a terrific way to incorporate the target language in a fun, engaging way. This webinar demonstrates the universality of comics for any language classroom, showing how multi-skill comic activities can be used with students of all ages and ability levels. Webinar viewers will experience several materials they can use in their own classrooms: they will learn how to use comics as an effective, real-world formative assessment measure and as a springboard for vocabulary and grammar acquisition.

Author: James Whiting
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Differentiating Instructions (Online!) for Equity in LearningExpand

This session, “Differentiating Instruction (Online!) for Equity in Learning,” explores the concept of differentiated instruction, which aims to ensure all learners are given opportunities to succeed, and shares practical differentiation strategies for the online EFL classroom.

Author: Chloe Bellows
Format: Text, Video
Presenting Ideas through Digital Storytelling in the English Language ClassroomExpand

This webinar, "Presenting Ideas through Digital Storytelling in the English Language Classroom," focuses on using digital storytelling techniques as an effective way to promote engagement. Teachers will learn about various forms of digital media and how to use rhetoric successfully in the storytelling process. As a result, teachers and students alike will be able to create digital content that serves both instructional and personal purposes.

 
Author: Eric Wenninger
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Climate Change Communication and English Language TeachingExpand

This session, "Climate Change Communication and English Language Teaching," explores climate change vocabulary and vocabulary teaching tips, shares activity ideas, and introduces skills that will help learners analyze and communicate about climate change facts versus opinions.

Author: Sheila Mullooly
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Creating Comics to Think CriticallyExpand

This session, "Creating Comics to Think Critically," provides strategies global educators can use to help English language learners create comics as a means of developing their language and critical thinking skills. Participants will learn how comics tell stories, ways in which comic book readers process information, and how learners can make their own comics to demonstrate problem solving and communication skills. The session will illustrate how students can create memoirs and non-fiction, and will also address how educators can take advantage of the link between between genre fiction (science fiction, fantasy, super heroics, mystery, etc.) and comics.

Author: Dan Ryder
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Promoting Reading Fluency with the ACTIVE FrameworkExpand

This session, “Promoting Reading Fluency with the ACTIVE Framework,” explores the six elements of the ACTIVE reading framework, designed to systematically enhance reading skills in the EFL classroom. We’ll demonstrate practical, adaptable activities for each framework component!

Author: Neil J. Anderson
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Podcasting in the ClassroomExpand

This webinar, "Podcasting in the Classroom,” explores an alternative solution to the challenge of providing students enough speaking and listening time in the class. Using freely available software, we can provide students opportunities for more speaking and listening via podcasting. Podcasts are music or discussion programs presented and delivered in a digital format. This webinar will explore where to find podcasts for classroom use, the software needed for students to make their own podcasts, and activities for the classroom to get students podcasting. 

Author: Jeff Kuhn
Format: Text, Video
Availability

Webinar Recording:
Podcasting in the Classroom

STEAM-Powered Instruction: Practical Approaches for ELT EducatorsExpand

This session, "STEAM-Powered Instruction: Practical Approaches for ELT Educators," shares how experiential STEAM-related instruction can develop students’ 21st-century skills while they use the target language and have fun!

Author: Eileen Finn
Format: Text, Video
Availability
American English Live - How Routines Support Effective Classroom Management and Teacher PlanningExpand

This session, "Got Consistency? How Routines Support Effective Classroom Management and Teacher Planning," explores simple techniques to implement everyday routines that maximize student agency, learning, and participation while also increasing overall teaching efficacy. Participants will review classroom management “best practices” and identify how routines can support positive classroom management as well as maximize lesson planning time. Participants will learn practical strategies for establishing routines and apply them to case studies.

Author: Presenter: Emily Tichich
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Amplifying Voice and Choice in the EFL ClassroomExpand

This session, “Amplifying Voice and Choice in the EFL Classroom,” explained several student voice strategies, and will prepare participants to select or adapt the strategies to suit their teaching contexts, students, and teaching styles!

Author: Lindsay Lyons
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Learner Training - Developing Student Autonomy to Increase EngagementExpand

This webinar, "Learner Training - Developing Student Autonomy to Increase Engagement," stresses the importance of incorporating learner training into the English language learning curriculum. The presenter will address benefits as well as strategies for integrating effective learner training into the language classroom.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Planning for and Managing Small Group InstructionExpand

This session, "Planning for and Managing Small Group Instruction," shares creative tips for how to plan for small group instruction, practice routines with students, and monitor the whole class while working with small groups of students.

Author: Adrienne Johnson
Format: Text, Video
Developing Teacher Leadership SkillsExpand

This session, "Developing Teacher Leadership Skills: Instructional Coaching Techniques for English as a Foreign Language Educators," describes how a school can build capacity for serving English learners. Participants will learn how to identify a site-based coach to provide professional development for colleagues. Participants will be provided a toolkit of resources for teacher professional development. Participants will be guided through the English Learners in the Mainstream (ELM) Observation Tool, a framework for pre-and post-teacher observation, with a focus on best practices for English learners.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Let’s Play Ball: Using Cultural Themes to Teach EnglishExpand

Using thematic units in the EFL classroom is a great way to attach interesting and relevant content to language learning. Of particular interest to many learners are themes related to the culture and society of English-speaking countries. However, because of English's unique role as the global lingua franca, teachers must remember that skills of awareness and adaptation to unfamiliar contexts are just as important as factual information. We cannot predict where, when and with whom our learners will use English. It is entirely possible that they may never use English with native speakers!

Still, all language use is related to culture in one way or another and, as such, culture must be part of what we teach. To that end, this webinar will demonstrate how teachers can use one theme in American culture and society, Baseball, to give learners a toolkit for deciphering and using messages that contain a deep cultural context, no matter their source.

Authors: John Mark King, Whitney Mirts
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Effective Assessment Practices for Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning in an Online EnvironmentExpand

This session, "for Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning in an Online Environment," examines guidelines and effective practices for developing online assessments, including adapting existing face-to-face assessments for use online and creating new assessments tailored for virtual environments.

Author: Kendra Staley
Format: Text, Video
Cross-Cultural Competence in the Business English ClassroomExpand

This webinar, "Cross-Cultural Competence in the Business English Classroom," will explore strategies to help your students engage more effectively with their business counterparts from all over the world. Participants will reflect on how their behaviors are shaped by the characteristics of their own cultures, anticipate potential intercultural conflicts in a series of business scenarios, and receive practical tips for including cross-cultural competence training in their business courses.

Author: Lisa Mann
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Save the Planet and Cultural Traditions While Teaching EnglishExpand

This session, "Save the Planet and Cultural Traditions While Teaching English," examines how environmental education can be integrated in ELT, explores TESOL educators’ readiness to teach this topic, and shares strategies to help students identify meaningful local environmental issues.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Making Grammar and Vocabulary Learning Stick by Weaving a Critical Thinking WebExpand

This session, "Making Grammar and Vocabulary Learning Stick by Weaving A Critical Thinking Web," shows some ways to weave our grammar and vocabulary objectives into an interconnected web. Unlike babies learning their mother tongue, our learners have complex minds. Lists of definitions and rules fail to engage that complexity, and so most of them fall into forgetfulness. Critical thinking learning activities engage more of their brain’s interconnections. As a result, new words and grammatical patterns stick and become more available for productive language.

Author: Richard Kahn
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Connecting to Learn: Growing Professionally through Teacher-to-Teacher EngagementExpand

This session, "Connecting to Learn: Growing Professionally through Teacher-to-Teacher Engagement," explores how connecting and conversing with peers can offer teachers great opportunities for professional growth. We will explore how to expand our professional networks and build community, both inside and outside of our schools and institutions. It will share ways to foster inspiring conversations with colleagues during such activities as reading discussions and lesson shares, and it will examine ways of making the most of faculty meetings and professional conferences.

Author: Chris Stillwell
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Building Autonomy through Cooperative Classroom Management Expand

This webinar, "Building Autonomy through Cooperative Classroom Management," demonstrates techniques that assist in creating effective cooperative and communicative classrooms, especially in classes of 20 students or more. Using the techniques illustrated in this webinar, teachers will learn how to maintain control, while increasing student autonomy and providing each student with a role in the classroom management and with the opportunity to improve creative and critical thinking skills in English. 

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Getting Started with Project-Based Learning in STEAMExpand

This session, "Getting Started with Project-Based Learning in STEAM," discussed characteristics of strong projects in STEAM courses for students at different proficiency levels and guided participants in analyzing sample projects to identify their language features and completion requirements.

Author: Catherine DiFelice Box & Anne Pomerantz
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Strategies for Managing Large ClassesExpand

This session, "Strategies for Managing Large Classes," introduces strategies for building community, making it possible to take advantage of big opportunities for learning. Structured group work and interactive discussions are also explored as tools for keeping masses of students engaged, interested, and on task. Participants will gain knowledge of techniques for supporting and managing large classes.

Author: Presenter: Christopher Stillwell
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Dynamic Ways to Increase Student-to-Student InteractionExpand

This session, “Dynamic Ways to Increase Student-to-Student Interaction,” explores options for promoting student-to-student interaction in the EFL classroom through a variety of exciting, easy-to-adapt games and activities. By the end of the session, participants will be able to create more energizing and engaging lessons that motivate students and increase their confidence, regardless of class size or level!

Author: Dieter Bruhn
Format: Text
Availability
Photography in English Language Teaching: Engage, Inspire, Create, LearnExpand

This webinar, "Photograph in ELT: Engage, Inspire, Create, Learn," shows teachers how to harness students' access to their own cameras on their mobile phones and bring this technology with them right into the English language classroom. As this technology is something with which students are already engaging, teachers can jump right into utilizing its potential as a language-learning tool. This webinar will introduce and demonstrate photography-based activities and lessons for building skills in vocabulary, oral expression, creative writing, community engagement, and more for all levels of English learners and photographers.

Author: Crystal Bock Thiessen
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Contextualizing English Instruction to Focus on Environmental IssuesExpand

This session, "Contextualizing English Instruction to Focus on Environmental Issues," offers teaching techniques to situate language learning within local, environmental settings and demonstrates how to use authentic materials to connect local to global ecological concerns for learners of all ages and proficiency levels. 

Author: Susan Huss-Lederman and Danielle Sclafani
Format: Text, Video
Adapting Your Materials for Use in Mixed Ability ClassroomsExpand

This session, "Adapting Your Materials for Use in Mixed Ability Classrooms," addresses the challenge of dealing with large classes of students with mixed abilities. In such settings, it can be difficult to maintain learner motivation and engagement. This session aims to help teachers adapt their materials for use in these settings, whether they are teaching young learners, teens, or older students. The presentation will explore techniques for conducting activities in classes of mixed ability students, including pacing, personalizing activities, and grouping learners. The techniques will address ways to simplify tasks as well as to make activities more challenging.

Author: Presenter: Susan Iannuzzi
Format: Text, Video
Availability
What Happened to Listening? Practical Tips for Increasing Listening Time in Your ClassroomExpand

As teachers we often think we are doing listening tasks when we are not.  This webinar explores why listening sometimes gets short shrift in English classes and provides tips for bringing fun, low-preparation listening tasks to your lessons.

Author: Kevin McCoughey
Format: MP3, Text, Video
“Look Away from the Screen”: Making Online Learning Three-DimensionalExpand

This session, "Look Away from the Screen”: Making Online Learning Three-Dimensional," shares how to push the boundaries in online classes from one-dimensional screens to students’ three-dimensional environments to enhance student motivation, engagement, and well-being. 

Author: Anna Ciriani-Dean
Format: Text, Video
Understanding Documentation and Draft Writing for Business EnglishExpand

This webinar, "Understanding Documentation and Draft Writing for Business English," considers how context, content, and tone can help make business-related draft writing processes more effective and enjoyable for both writers and readers. This webinar addresses the range of documents draft writers often require—press releases, circular emails, and meeting minutes, among other things—as well as the planning tools, such as outlines and preparatory questions, that effective business writers need.

Author: Ben Taylor
Format: Text, Video
Promoting Authentic Language Use with TasksExpand

This session, "Promoting Authentic Language Use with Tasks," explores Tasked-Based Language Teaching by introducing the four criteria of tasks, presenting task types, and sharing examples of successful classroom tasks. Participants will be able to develop their own curriculum-relevant tasks to encourage authentic language use!

Author: Linh Phung
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Motivating Your Students with Rules, Routines, and RewardsExpand

This session, "Motivating Your Students with Rules, Routines, and Rewards," defines classroom rules, routines, and rewards in the English language classroom, their role in well-managed classes, and how their creation and effective use leads to learner engagement. The presenters provide participants with ways to achieve buy-in from their students for classroom rules, identify successful opening and closing activities, and point out the pros and cons of tangible and intangible rewards. The session will conclude with activities relevant to the topic that can be implemented in a range of classes taking into account differing ages, language levels, sizes of classes, and technology access.

Author: Sara Denne-Bolton and Lisa Morgan
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Needs Assessment for Course or Curriculum DesignExpand

In this webinar, we will first examine the needs assessment process by reviewing several methods, techniques, and options for gathering data about student needs. We will then consider how to use that information for course design, examining some basic course development steps and choices. We'll also briefly explore how needs assessment principles for course design can translate to the larger task of curriculum development. Participants will gain a clear sense of design choices and decision points to consider and will receive tools and ideas to help them ensure that courses and curricula meet their students' needs.

Author: Joe McVeigh
Format: Text, Video
Availability
The Role of Humor and Language Play in the English Language ClassroomExpand

In this webinar, "The Role of Humor and Language Play in the English Language Classroom," we discuss theories and practical strategies regarding the use of humor and language play in the English language classroom. Some educators may feel that humorous language is not a good way to teach language, but this webinar explains how the use of humor and language play is a great tool for teaching your students pronunciation, grammar, and conversational language skills, with a specific focus on vocabulary knowledge. You will see how examples of humor and language play work to enhance the learning of English, and how examples of humor and language play can be incorporated easily into your language learning curriculum.

Author: Dave Chiesa and Stephen Skalicky
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Skim, Scan, Run! An Active Approach to Developing Reading MacroskillsExpand

This session, "Skim, Scan, Run! An Active Approach to Developing Reading Macroskills," shares a dynamic way to get students out of their seats—in both virtual and face-to-face settings—as they collaborate and communicate with classmates during a reading race that involves a variety of texts.

Author: Heather Benucci and Kevin McCaughey
Format: Text, Video
Creating and Adapting Materials for a Multilevel ClassExpand

This session, "Creating and Adapting Materials for a Multilevel Class," focuses on how to help students of all levels learn by means of motivating and engaging activities. Participants learn how to identify students are varying levels, and provide support and challenge through carefully designed activities that offer the support and challenge each level of students require. In short, participants will learn how to push higher-level students without leaving the lower-level students behind. Ideas for speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, and projects will be covered.

Author: Kitty Purgason
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Random or Intentional? Putting Learners in Groups that WorkExpand

This session, “Random or Intentional? Putting Learners in Groups that Work,” helps participants reflect on and share the different types of EFL group work activities they use as well as the methods they use to create small groups. The session will also explore three grouping strategy categories and will review several fun, creative techniques for establishing effective groups.

Author: Kim Carroll
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Teacher Talk: Presentation Skills for TeachersExpand

This webinar, "Teacher Talk: Presentation Skills for Teachers," explores the notions of Teacher Talk Time and Teacher Wait Time. This webinar will also also make participants (humorously) aware of some unfortunate teacher presentation habits. The session will counter some of these bad habits with practical tips for speaking in front of groups, whether in your regular class or at conference. In addition, the presenter will discuss and offer brief advice about conducting student presentations. Teachers will be encouraged to take action to improve their talk time behavior and presentation styles.

Format: Text, Video
Mastering the Multilevel ClassroomExpand

This session, "Mastering the Multilevel Classroom," Dieter Bruhn shares innovative strategies that engage students and inspire them to learn and improve their language skills, regardless of class size or challenges inherent in multilevel settings.

Author: Dieter Bruhn
Format: Text, Video
Availability

AE Live 14.5

Effective Strategies for Teaching Large ClassesExpand

This session, "Effective Strategies for Teaching Large Classes," explores thought-provoking techniques for creating engaging and interactive lesson plans when working with large, multi-level classes. Participants will learn effective strategies and techniques that give their students the opportunity to actively participate in class, even when there are varying proficiency levels. By the end of the session, participants will have a toolbox of ideas for creating more dynamic lessons while recognizing that class size is not a barrier to communication and interaction.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
'Hey Kids! Let’s Put on a Show!' Theater in the English Language ClassroomExpand
This webinar, "Hey Kids! Let's Put on a Show! Theater in the English Language Classroom,” focuses on how to use theater in the classroom--from developing short, theater-based activities to putting on a student show. Danielle will answer key questions, such as these: 1. How do I choose a dramatic text for my students? 2. What language activities could I do with that text? 3. How do I cast and direct a student show? By the end of this webinar, viewers will have an enhanced understanding of using both small- and large-scale theater projects in your classroom.
Author: Danielle Capretti
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Adventures in Grammar: The Power of StoriesExpand

This session, "Adventures in Grammar: The Power of Stories," shares ways to dramatize grammar rules to make them memorable and techniques for helping students discover grammar as they explore popular stories.

Author: Presenter: Christopher Stillwell
Format: Text, Video
To Correct or Not Correct? Ideas for Subtle Error Correction During Speaking TasksExpand

This webinar, "To Correct or Not Correct? Ideas for Subtle Correction During Speaking Tasks," presents techniques designed to correct students’ grammar without interrupting the free flow of speech or the lesson. These techniques work with all levels and in a variety of settings. Participants will have an opportunity to consider when these techniques would be effective versus when other forms of traditional correction may be more helpful. The techniques presented can be added to teaching practices immediately, and teachers may realize they’ve already been using some of them.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
The Line Between: Questions, Responses, and Critical ReadingExpand

This session, "The Line Between: Questions, Responses, and Critical Reading," introduces the Question-Answer Relationship (QAR) framework for building readers’ confidence in locating information in a text and turning to themselves to answer questions that require thinking beyond the text.

Author: Spencer Salas
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Task-Based Language Teaching for Designing Grammar-Focused Communicative ActivitiesExpand

This session, "Task-Based Language Teaching for Designing Grammar-Focused Communicative Activities," examines how task-based language teaching (TBLT) creates opportunities for students to use and develop language skills in the course of authentic communication. Research suggests that TBLT can make students aware of grammatical form, meaning, and use while also preparing them for real-world English language tasks. In this webinar, participants will learn how to plan grammar-focused communicative tasks using TBLT principles. Tasks presented in this session can be modified for different school settings, learners, and grammar forms.

Author: Jamila Barton
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Using Brain-based Strategies and Critical Thinking to Maximize Vocabulary AcquisitionExpand

This interactive webinar will focus on maximizing vocabulary acquisition for English learners with a focus on easy-to-implement classroom strategies and activities based on brain-based learning and critical thinking. The session will begin with how to assess students’ vocabulary knowledge and determine what words to teach and then move on to a discussion of how the brain learns and stores words. Strategies that will be introduced include graphic organizers, word walls, word study, word sorts, games and technology apps. Participants will be actively engaged in trying out the strategies for themselves during the webinar.

Author: Anne Walker
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Co-Teaching: Strategies for Sharing and Improving the Teaching Experience Expand

The benefits of professional collaboration are being celebrated more frequently in today’s schools. This shift away from the individual teacher, behind a closed door, with his or her own class of students has brought about a new method of instructional delivery: co-teaching. While the idea of sharing space and responsibilities with another teacher can be unappealing, challenging, or even terrifying to some educators, an effective arrangement can have many benefits.

Co-Teaching: Strategies for Sharing and Improving the Teaching Experience will discuss what is needed for a successful educational partnership. Several co-teaching models will be presented along with ideas for practical classroom applications. The webinar will address the potential positive effects of co-teaching, both on student learning and educators’ professional development. 

Author: Amy Hanna
Format: Website
Availability
Effective e-reading: Helping Students Stay on Task While Reading Online Expand

This session, "Effective e-reading: Helping Students Stay on Task While Reading Online," explores strategies for more accurate and efficient e-reading; these approaches address reading skills such as fluency, synthesis, source tracking, and more!

Format: Text, Video
News They Can Use: Creating a Digital NewspaperExpand

This session, "News They Can Use: Creating a Digital Newspaper," introduces how to help your students discover and share their own voices! A student-generated newspaper for a real audience engages students in the authentic process of inquiry, drafting, and editing their own work. Creating pictures, stories, and features covering topics they care about motivates students to learn more language. Participants will also learn how to adapt this simple idea to high-tech, low-tech, or no-tech settings.

Author: Ami Christensen
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Supporting Language Learning Using Smithsonian Online Museum ResourcesExpand

The Smithsonian’s 19 museums, 9 research centers and the National Zoo span subjects from art and design to history and culture, as well as science and technology.  The webinar is presented by three Smithsonian educators who will introduce online activities and learning resources that support English language learning. During the webinar, we explore strategies for engaging students in looking at and analyzing portraits, as well as eliciting thoughtful questions about objects that help tell a story. We learn how visuals, such as collection objects, photographs, artworks and videos with experts, can serve as a springboard for rich discussions and inspire curiosity in the classroom and beyond. Our presenters will also demonstrate how to search and explore relevant Smithsonian online resources available to teachers and their students.

Format: Text
Availability
Strategic Corrective Feedback in the EFL ClassroomExpand

This session, “Strategic Corrective Feedback in the EFL Classroom,” examines how teachers can thoughtfully select and apply corrective feedback techniques that can help students produce more accurate language output.

Author: Juli Sarris
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Developing Your Students' Vocabulary and Grammar for Critical ThinkingExpand

This webinar, "Developing Your Students' Vocabulary and Grammar for Critical thinking," identifies key vocabulary and grammatical structures and models classroom approaches for introducing and practicing them in critical thinking exercises. These exercises will include the use of visual media and will be presented in a sequence from low to high levels, focusing on key elements for your students to interpret and use correctly.

Format: Text, Video
Availability
Sing Out Loud! Wordplay: Music Resources for English Language TeachersExpand

This session, "Sing Out Loud! Wordplay: Music Resources for English Language Teachers," shares a new resource you can find on the American English website—diverse, music-based instructional materials that include free, downloadable audio tracks, videos, and classroom-ready activities. These low-prep activities are student-centered and fun for both teachers and learners! 

Author: Katrina Schmidt
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Assess and Motivate: Student Portfolios and Self-Assessments in the EFL ClassroomExpand

This session, "Assess and Motivate: Student Portfolios and Self-Assessments in the EFL Classroom," explores the use of portfolios and self-assessments that document the completion of performance-based tasks as a great way to motivate students and measure learning. The session introduces different types of portfolios that can be applied across all levels and macro-skills. Participants will explore how to develop a variety of authentic tasks including different types of portfolios, self-assessments, and other performative tasks, construct a workable rubric to measure achievement, and increase student motivation via self-reflective assessment and instructor feedback.

Author: Nina Kang
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Promoting Gender Equality in the English Language ClassroomExpand

This webinar, “Promoting Gender Equality in the English Language Classroom,” explores techniques that will help you organize and facilitate a class in a way that is equitable for all your students. Participants will learn strategies and have an opportunity to apply them to case studies. While the focus is on gender equity in the classroom, the techniques discussed can be used to create a learning environment that is inclusive of all student demographics.

Author: Philip Dierking
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Motivating with Gamification: Benefits and CautionsExpand

This session, "Motivating with Gamification: Benefits and Cautions,” examines gamification in face-to-face and online classes and explores ways to include gamification elements in ELT instruction.

Author: Deborah Healey
Format: Text, Video
Creating a Positive Classroom CommunityExpand

This session, "Creating a Positive Classroom Community," explains how to successfully foster relationships among learners to create a sense of purpose and belonging in the classroom, resulting in greater student participation and rapport. During the session, the presenter will share examples of successful classroom community building activities, strategies, and techniques to implement not only on the first day of school, but throughout the year. By the end of the session, participants will have multiple activities that can be easily implemented into their own classroom in order to build a positive classroom learning community.

Author: Mari Bodensteiner
Format: Text, Video
Target Language Use in the Classroom: Teaching Speaking DifferentlyExpand

This session, "Target Language Use in the Classroom: Teaching Speaking Differently," shares engaging strategies for effectively incorporating authentic target language in EFL lessons: in classroom routines, in language practice, as well as in assessments of speaking gains.

Author: Jane Borisova
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Developing Grammar Proficiency Through Communicative ActivitiesExpand

This session, "Developing Grammar Proficiency Through Communicative Activities," explores key principles associated with communicative grammar instruction. Participants will learn how to apply these principles in the classroom, and consider how to create and evaluate grammar activities that will enhance your students’ ability to use English for real communication. We will also examine several practical grammar activities that can be used with learners of different ages and skill levels; these activities require minimal equipment, supplies, or space.

Author: Nancy Ackles
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Foundations of TESOL MethodologyExpand

This session, "Foundations of TESOL Methodology," introduces key theories and practices in language teaching, and participants will improve their understanding of language teaching methods and principles. We will begin with an introduction to research-based instructional approaches to language education. We will then discuss different approaches to and purposes for language teaching. As we conclude, participants will have the opportunity to consider how they can apply the language teaching methods and techniques that were presented to their particular teaching context.

Author: Sarah Arva Grosik
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Make it Meaningful: Bringing Learning to Life with Culturally Relevant Teaching Expand

This webinar, Make it Meaningful: Bringing Learning to Life with Culturally Relevant Teaching, discusses ways to increase student motivation and achievement through the use of culturally relevant teaching techniques.

Most experienced teachers excel at integrating strong teaching methodologies, a challenging curriculum, and well-designed materials. Sometimes, however, we spend so much time on those aspects of teaching that we forget the most important part: the students! By creating a bridge between English and students’ backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences, teachers can empower students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and politically.

Though this webinar is grounded in research-based best practices for teaching diverse language learners, it will also share practical tips and classroom-ready activities.

Author: Tabitha Kidwell
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Cultural Introductions by Way of StorytellingExpand

This session, "Cultural Introductions by Way of Storytelling," examines how we can share our own unique stories in a dialogue with others using an engaging method which gives value to ourselves, while also celebrating the differences of everyone involved.

Author: Matthew Jellick
Format: Text, Video
Hands-on Language Learning with Mobile DevicesExpand

This, session "We Like to Move It! Hands-on Language Learning with Mobile Devices," introduces mobile language learning activities that require no internet connection. Instead, language learners are encouraged to take pictures, record audio, make a movie, and partner with peers to enhance all four skills - reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Author: Shelly Sanchez Terrell
Format: Text, Video
Availability
Lesson Planning 101: Mapping Activities for a Clear Path to LearningExpand

We never go to a new place without knowing directions or having a map, so why would we enter a new learning experience with our students without knowing where we're taking them?  In this webinar, participants will learn to create "road map" classroom activities, starting with the final destination, or learning objective, in mind.  Participants will get tools and techniques for keeping themselves and their students focused on achieving goals and maximizing effort for higher levels of learning!

Author: Katie Bain
Format: Text, Video
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Superpowering Your Lecture: Activities to Engage Learners and Gather FeedbackExpand

This session, “Superpowering Your Lecture: Activities to Engage Learners and Gather Feedback,” explores several interactive, ready-to-use activities designed to motivate learners enrolled in lecture-style classes; these approaches also enable the instructor to gather crucial information about their students’ progress and understanding of the material.

Author: Kim Chilmonik
Format: Text, Video
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Beyond Proficiency: Nurturing Critical Thinking Skills in the EFL ClassroomExpand

This webinar, "Beyond Proficiency: Nurturing Critical Thinking Skills in the EFL Classroom," combines communicative English language teaching approaches with activities that require students to think critically in order to create a dynamic, productive learning environment. We will develop a shared understanding of what it means to “think critically," and examine why teachers should devote time to helping students develop a critical thinking mindset, both for language acquisition and lifelong learning purposes. Practical ideas for promoting critical thinking in the EFL classroom will be shared.

Format: Text, Video
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Forum Articles with Links

“Mind Mirror Projects: A Tool for Integrating Critical Thinking into the English Language Classroom” by Matthew M. Tully (2009), English Teaching Forum, 47(1)

“Encouraging Critical Reading in the EFL Classroom” by Rosane Correia (2006), English Teaching Forum, 44(1)

“From Passive Participant to Active Thinker: A Learner-Centered Approach to Materials Development” by Nguyen Thi Cam Le (2005) English Teaching Forum, 43(3)

"The Great Mini-debate” by Heather Benucci (2017), English Teaching Forum, 55(1), 45-48

Sing Out Loud Word Play: Music Resources for English Language TeachersExpand

This session, "Sing Out Loud! Wordplay: Music Resources for English Language Teachers," shares a new resource you can find on the American English website—diverse, music-based instructional materials that include free, downloadable audio tracks, videos, and classroom-ready activities. These low-prep activities are student-centered and fun for both teachers and learners! 

Author: Katrina Schmidt
Format: Text, Video
Practical Applications for Critical Thinking in English Language Teaching and LearningExpand

This session, "Practical Applications for Critical Thinking in English Language Teaching and Learning," offers an easy way to determine how much Critical Thinking (CT) is already part of existing your materials and practical ways to weave more CT into them on a regular basis. By the end of our time together, we will have (a) reviewed some of the key features of CT and its importance as an element in any learning environment, (b) discussed ways to analyze current materials for CT content, and (c) identified practical ways to easily apply CT in language teaching and learning.

Format: Text, Video
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Using Group Work Effectively to Increase Student Speaking Time in ClassExpand

This webinar, “Using Group Work Effectively to Increase Student Speaking Time in Class” explores several new warm-up activities and grouping strategies. The activities and strategies can be used to introduce or review lesson content and provide strategic opportunities for students to practice speaking in class.

Author: Rebecca Wilner
Format: Text, Video
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The Art of the Running Dictation Expand

This session, "The Art of the Running Dictation," provides techniques for how to design and adapt Running Dictations for grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing practice that students will be sure to enjoy!

Author: Jacqueline Peterson
Format: MP3, Video
Keep it Moving: Ideas for Fun, Active Classroom ActivitiesExpand

During this session, Regional English Language Officer Kevin McCaughey shares his approach to a dynamic classroom space: The Movable Class. Kevin explains how this approach will help you to use more group work, design student-centered activities, and become a more confident classroom manager, all while you and your students have more fun!

Author: Kevin McCaughey
Format: Text, Video
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Drama-Based Activities to Improve Student Confidence and MotivationExpand

This session, "Drama-Based Activities to Improve Student Confidence and Motivation," shares fun, confidence-building, evidence-based drama techniques that can be applied in any EFL classroom setting!

Author: Deric McNish and Carmela Romano Gillette
Format: Text, Video
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Digital Literacies: Practical Approaches for the ELT ClassroomExpand

This session, "Digital Literacies: Practical Approaches for the ELT Classroom," aims to clarify the multiskill “digital literacies” construct and explore how and why these skills can be integrated into English language instruction. Together, we will examine benefits and challenges associated with systematically addressing aspects of digital literacies in ELT settings. We will also review several adaptable activities designed to help ELLs develop the 21st-century skills that will serve them in the classroom and beyond.

Author: Heather Benucci
Format: Text, Video
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Teachers Working Together: A Successful Community of PracticeExpand

This session, "Teachers Working Together: A Successful Community of Practice," explores best practices and innovative ideas that can be shared and cultivated in a collaborative and engaging professional network called a Community of Practice (CoP). Participating in a CoP can help educators gain a positive outlook towards professional development through increased autonomy-the ability to choose learning topics as well as how and when to learn. A successful CoP can grow and sustain a continuous professional education mindset, especially in contexts where educators may have limited options for training and development. In this webinar, we will define a CoP and its components, discuss the benefits of a CoP, share the successes of an ongoing CoP, and examine practical steps for building a sustainable CoP.

Author: Mari Bodensteiner
Format: Text, Video
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From Idea to Essay: Effective Strategies for Teaching Academic Writing Expand

This webinar, "From Idea to Essay: Effective Strategies for Teaching Academic Writing," argues that clear organization is the most important feature of effective academic writing. Participants will learn how to help students identify and successfully meet the purpose of a given academic writing task. It will also highlight helpful strategies to help students organize their writing in a clear and highly comprehensible way. Specific examples of these techniques will be given using a sample argumentative essay. Additional supplementary materials will be provided for use by participants when teaching their own academic writing classes. 

Author: John Kotnarowski
Format: Text, Video
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Task-Based Reading Activities Using Authentic Materials and Skills Expand

This session, "Task-Based Reading Activities Using Authentic Materials and Skills," shares two reading activities that involve the station-based learning and authentic materials; these tasks promote a range of reading skills while maximizing learner engagement, critical thinking, and learner autonomy! 

Author: Mina Gavell
Format: Text, Video
Empowering Students to Solve Local Problems: Adapting Materials with Service LearningExpand

This session, "Empowering Students to Solve Local Problems: Adapting Materials with Service Learning," introduces participants to the concept of Service Learning as a teaching strategy that promotes meaningful experiential learning through community service and reflective classroom activities. The presentation addresses ways to use adapted materials in local environments to examine regional real-world problems. Using the framework of Service Learning, participants learn specific strategies and classroom teaching activities that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and civic engagement.

Author: Annaliese Hausler-Akpovi
Format: Text, Video
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Adapting Materials to Meet Your Classroom NeedsExpand

Have you ever found an activity in a textbook or on the Internet that looked interesting but didn’t work well when you tried it in the classroom?  Many teachers want to use new activities, but due to cultural differences, student level and their specific context, they often have problems using these materials in their class.  Through a variety of examples and communicative activities in this webinar, you will learn useful techniques on how to successfully adapt materials for your classroom.

Authors: Roger Cohen, Russell Barczyk
Format: Text, Video
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Discussion Strategies for Meaningful, Effective Webinar PracticeExpand

This session, “Discussion Strategies for Meaningful, Effective Conversation Practice,” explores discussion formats that keep students engaged and focused while upholding individual accountability. Participants will discover specific ways to help students engage and connect meaningfully in English conversation practice.

Author: Kelley Calvert
Format: Text, Video, Website
Building Global Citizenship through Intercultural Language TeachingExpand

This webinar, "Building Global Citizenship through Intercultural Language Teaching," shares research-based teaching strategies to help students develop intercultural communicative competence while sustaining their own cultural heritage. By integrating intercultural awareness in the EFL classroom, teachers can help students become curious, engaged, conscientious global citizens.

Author: Presenter: Tabitha Kidwell
Format: Text, Video
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Scaffolding Project-Based Instruction: Supporting Student SuccessExpand

This session, "Scaffolding Project-Based Instruction: Supporting Student Success," identifies challenges faced during project-based learning (PBL) and shares scaffolding-based strategies to overcome them. Participants will deepen their understanding of both PBL and instructional scaffolding.

Author: Tabitha Kidwell
Format: Text, Video
Using Graphic Organizers to Promote Students’ Academic Language ProductionExpand

This session, "Using Graphic Organizers to Promote Students’ Academic Language Production," introduces the graphic organizer as a tool to help students understand difficult concepts and produce related, meaningful academic English. Participants will learn how to effectively integrate graphic organizers into their instruction as part of student-centered speaking and writing activities. The result will be more engaged students who are able to effectively speak and write about the content areas they are studying.

Format: Text, Video
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Student-Centered Classroom Management: Addressing Classroom Issues with 5 Adaptable FormsExpand

This webinar, “Student-Centered Classroom Management: Addressing Classroom Issues with 5 Adaptable Forms,” examines classroom management and student-centered classrooms before discussing five adaptable forms participants can use to manage activities in their own classrooms. The presenter will explain how and why to use each form and additional classroom management resources will be shared.

Author: Catherine Thomas
Format: Text, Video
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American English Resources for Virtual or Face-to-face Grammar InstructionExpand

This session, "American English Resources for Virtual or Face-to-face Grammar Instruction" shares fun, practical ideas for using and adapting free American English resources to teach grammar topics in a variety of ELT contexts.

Author: Ellana Black
Format: Text, Video
Exploring Generational Culture through Oral HistoriesExpand

This session, "Creating a Positive Classroom Community," explains how to successfully foster relationships among learners to create a sense of purpose and belonging in the classroom, resulting in greater student participation and rapport. During the session, the presenter will share examples of successful classroom community building activities, strategies, and techniques to implement not only on the first day of school, but throughout the year. By the end of the session, participants will have multiple activities that can be easily implemented into their own classroom in order to build a positive classroom learning community.

Author: Rhonda Petree
Format: Text, Video
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Using Visible Thinking Routines in the Language ClassroomExpand

This session "Using Visible Thinking Routines in the Language Classroom," introduces visible thinking routines that can enrich communicative dynamics, stimulate productive engagement, and foster insightful expression–a valuable addition to any language teacher’s instructional toolbox!

Author: Stephanie Bolaños
Format: Text, Video, Website
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Resource

Formative Assessment Strategies for the Student-centered ClassroomExpand

This session, "Formative Assessment Strategies for the Student-centered Classroom," explores formative assessment as an essential element of student-centered classrooms. Teachers who use formative assessment techniques can identify students’ current levels, differentiate their instruction, and help all students achieve standards-based learning outcomes. This webinar discusses the concept of formative assessment and shares strategies teachers can use to check for understanding, track student progress, and increase student learning. The strategies shared can be used with students of all levels and ages. Participants will reflect on their own teaching practices and will gain ideas they can implement immediately in their classrooms.

Author: Tabitha Kidwell
Format: Text, Video
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No-Prep Communicative Grammar ActivitiesExpand

This session, “No-Prep Communicative Grammar Activities,” shares engaging and dynamic grammar practice ideas that incorporate personally relevant student content. Activities for all levels will be included.

Author: Stephanie Owens Upadhyay
Format: Text, Video
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Multi-Modal Writing: Promoting Digital Literacy in the English Language ClassroomExpand

This webinar, "Multi-Modal Writing: Promoting Digital Literacy in the English Language Classroom," discusses how multi-modal writing uses more than just words to communicate–it encourages students to use audio, video, photographs, and drawings to supplement their writing in meaningful ways. Because of this, multi-modal assignments can help students develop visual and digital literacy. By assigning multimodal projects, we prepare our students to communicate effectively in modern writing contexts. This webinar presents ways to create effective writing assignments using blogs, collages, video/audio essays, and storyboards. We will also discuss how to evaluate multi-modal assignments fairly, using rubrics designed especially for these assignments. 

Author: Maggie Sokolik
Format: MP3, Text
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"What was it about?" Supporting Text Retelling and ResponseExpand

This session, ""What was it about?" Supporting Text Retelling and Response," discusses the importance of scaffolding techniques in post-reading tasks and showcases a tool, the story retelling wheel, which provides support for learners while giving them opportunities to be creative and take ownership of their reading.

Author: Lottie Baker
Format: Text, Video
Designing and Leading Professional Development for TeachersExpand

This session, "Designing and Leading Professional Development for Teachers," explores five core principles for planning teacher professional development based on transformative adult learning theory. Each principle is illustrated with practical examples you can use when moving out of a teacher “training” approach to a teacher “engagement” model. From creating a community of practice, to selecting materials that will trigger intensive and purposeful interaction, to building teacher leadership, this session will provide a foundation for the professionalization of teacher learning. Teaching teachers can seem daunting, but applying what you know from the EFL classroom to the design of teacher professional development is a great place to start!

Author: Laura Baecher
Format: Text, Video
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