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1. Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   "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.

2. Considering Multimodal Materials and Modes of Communication for Authentic Communication in Online Classes

   In: English Teaching Forum, Volume 60, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The author, Jonathan Maiullo, proposes ideas for considering the use of multimodal materials and different ways of communicating in order to offer students a rich, authentic learning experience; the article includes five example activities that “illustrate the ways that multimodal materials combine with modes of communication to create authentic online communicative activities.”

3. Countering Disinformation Discourse in the English Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Adam Mastandrea presents strategies for helping students recognize, analyze, and counter disinformation, using authentic examples to illustrate the approach. Incorporating aspects of media literacy and critical thinking, the author argues that the strategies strengthen language learning while also enabling learners to counter disinformation online.

4. C.A.R.E.: A Methodological Framework for Using Pop Songs in the EL2 Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   Author Harald Spann explains the C.A.R.E. framework to support “planning and teaching pop-song lessons in different learning contexts.” Using the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” as an anchor, the author provides numerous examples of how teachers can apply the framework (covering creativity, analysis, response, and English) for multiple purposes.

5. Tools for Activating Materials and Tasks in the English Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article presents techniques to make classroom materials and tasks more interactive and student-centered and thus motivate learners to take more control over their own learning. It demonstrates these techniques through elicitation, gapping, and adaptation/extension strategies. The article offers examples of classroom activities with detailed instructions to show how teachers can use materials and tasks in the English language classroom to address students’ interests, needs, and goals.

6. Student Documentaries: A Language Learning Tool

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article describes the reasons for project-based learning and how it better motivates students in an EFL classroom. It illustrates this topic by presenting a documentary film project that was carried out in a high-intermediate EFL class in Saudi Arabia. The article summarizes the theoretical support for communicative language learning and project-based approaches. The author then describes the documentary film project in detail and presents an evaluation of the project based on Simkins et al.’s (2002) framework of evaluation for multimedia projects.

7. Using Teacher-Developed Corpora in the CBI classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article argues for the use of teacher-generated corpora in content-based courses. Using a content course for engineering and architecture students as an example, the article explains how a corpus consisting of texts from textbooks and journal articles helped students learn grammar, vocabulary, and writing. The article explains how the corpus was compiled and presents examples of how students learned to analyze language use using corpus tools and dictionaries. The article ends by emphasizing the advantages of corpus analysis for self-directed learning.

8. VoIM-Mediated Cooperative Tasks for English Language Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses how computer-mediated communication, negotiation of meaning, and cooperative task-based learning can be combined in a VoIM-mediated activity to benefit language learners. The author starts with a brief review of how the three aspects of learning can benefit language learners. The author then describes a VoIM-mediated cooperative task. The rest of the article explains how to set up the activity, including technical requirements, planning in eight stages, and materials selection.

9. No Books and 150 Students?

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article describes the author’s experiences coping with the challenges of teaching English in an Indonesian university, such as classroom conditions and large numbers of students at different proficiency levels. The author suggests five activities that are designed to involve students in learning with little dependence on materials and little movement. The author also describes three out-of-class activities. Appendices include materials for the activities and additional references.

10. Translation and Foreign Language Reading Comprehension: A Neglected Didactic Procedure

    In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 4 Format(s): Text

    In reviewing views on the use of L1 in L2 classrooms, the author argues for the benefits of using L1. The author argues for the benefits of written translation activities based on the ideas that translation uses authentic materials, is interactive, learner-centered, and promotes learner autonomy. The author also argues that written translation activities can be used as a post-reading activity to check learners’ reading comprehension and provide items for future tests. A sample activity is given and suggestions are discussed.

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