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Teaching Weak Forms

In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 2 Format(s): Text

This article describes a pronunciation concept referred to as the weak form, a compression of sounds used to keep the rhythm of spoken English. The author uses the word “that” as an example. Stressing or not stressing the word “that” when reading aloud the sentence “John thinks that man is evil” changes the meaning. Reading “that” as unstressed is an example of the weak form. The author provides examples of how to teach the weak form to provide students with better spoken English and better comprehension.

Effective Questions

In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

Teachers ask many questions in the classroom, but not all are useful. Questions that the teacher already knows the answer to are known as display questions. These are often asked for the student to display knowledge. Questions where the teacher does not already know the answer are meaning based and known as referential questions. This article explains the problems with relying on display questions in the L2 classroom. This distinction applies to reading comprehension questions as well as oral questions.

Extra Work or Work Extra: Five Steps for Studying Vocabulary

In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 4 Format(s): Text

An instructor shares a plan for extra study that helped struggling students learn vocabulary. Students selected five words from each unit of their class text. A sample of words from the text “Raise the Issues” and reasons for choosing them are included. The five steps used to learn the words were learning pronunciation, recognizing other word forms, using the dictionary, reading the word in context, and using the word in context. Scaffolding for writing with the word is provided. This method was more successful and more popular than extra quizzes for low-achieving students.

Pronunciation Textbook Discrepancies

In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 2 Format(s): Text

This article identifies the most common differences among popular English pronunciation textbooks. Vowel symbols, number of diphthongs, and the different ways of marking primary and secondary stress are a few of the pronunciation features addressed. These differences can make it confusing and frustrating for teachers and students. Instructors should be aware of these differences and address them with their students while encouraging students to use the instructor’s preferred transcription system.

Rules and Laws

In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 1 Format(s): Text

This article presents a lesson that gives students the opportunity to explore aspects of rules and laws. The goal of the lesson is to help students learn vocabulary and concepts associated with the topic, practice their English language skills, and develop an understanding of the role of rules and laws in civil societies. The article shares three activities for a fifty-minute lesson plan, but the authors state that teachers may modify the lesson for their own contexts and student needs.

Teacher Perspectives

English language teachers share stories about their use of American English resources like webinars, videos, downloadable books, and English Teaching Forum magazine. Find out how these teachers have used these online materials to connect with students of all English language-learning levels.

Celebrate World Oceans Day

On June 8, join millions of people around the world in celebrating World Oceans Day. Last year, people across the planet organized over 600 events to celebrate, and this year even more events are being planned both locally and globally. This year’s theme is, “Together we have the power to protect the ocean.”

Create Your Own Board Game Competition

Get ready for the 3^rd annual American English at State’s Create Your Own Board Game Competition (CYOBG)! We challenge you to create your own board games for your classrooms and submit them to the CYOBG Competition. Each winner will enjoy having their winning board game posted on the American English website! Winners will be announced on Monday, November 30th.

Progressive Tense: "He is Looking for Emma Fields"

In: Teacher's Corner: Progressive Form Format(s): Text

This week’s Teacher’s Corner uses a video game and a jigsaw activity for students to review the present, past, and future progressive

Using Public Speaking Tasks in English Language Teaching

In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2 Format(s): Text

There are advantages to using public speaking tasks in the L2 classroom. Among them are the ability to use the four skills (e.g., when responding to audience questions, creating a presentation, or writing notes), the development of critical thinking skills, and the opportunity that public speaking provides for sharing information. The author offers guidelines and figures to illustrate the steps involved in supporting students in their research, demonstration, and review.