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1. Smithsonian IdeaLabs

   Format(s): Video, Website

   Visit the Smithsonian IdeaLabs to view online student tutorials that bring the museums to life, featuring American history, science, and culture.

2. American Teens Talk!

   Format(s): MP3, Text

   Americans Teens Talk! is a collection of interviews of American high school students in both written and audio format. Each interview is accompanied by vocabulary notes and discussion questions.

3. Learning to Learn Cooperatively

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

   This article discusses the use of cooperative learning activities in the classroom to strengthen students’ interpersonal communication skills and increase their participation in the language-learning process. It addresses the importance of cultural and individual differences in cooperative learning. The article offers practical suggestions and useful activities to teach learners how to get involved in such activities and to complete the activity successfully.

4. Activate Games for Learning American English: Picture This

   Format(s): Text

   Picture This cards are a set of cards that can be used for a variety of conversation and word games in English classes.

5. Authentic Video in the Beginning ESOL Classroom: Using a Full-Length Feature Film for Listening and Speaking Strategy Practice

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

   Using film in the classroom can be effective with beginning English learners. A full-length film offers continuous context to discuss humor, culture, and language functions, real-life communication with images and non-verbal cues, increased retention due to activating the right hemisphere of the brain, and the lowering of students’ affective filters. The authors include a lesson based on their experience teaching listening and speaking skills using the movie “What about Bob.” Assessment techniques and potential problems are considered.

6. Teaching ESL Versus EFL

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

   The author argues for different teaching approaches in EFL vs. ESL settings. He points out the differences in student motivation and suggests how to select different activities for the two contexts (with examples of relevant activities). He gives guidelines for the appropriate role of L1 in each classroom, and explains how the two classroom cultures differ (for example, in term of the learning styles of the students). He argues that keeping in mind these differences will help educators make more effective decisions for their students.

7. American Rhythms

   Format(s): MP3, Text

   The Sing Out Loud American Rhythms CD includes a variety of musical genres from many different artists in the U.S.A. These songs will appeal to teens and young adults. This "hybrid" CD also contains a teacher's guide to using music in the classroom.

8. Open Classroom Communication and the Learning of Citizenship Values

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the importance of fostering citizenship values in language classrooms around the world, and specifically in Morocco. Class content, student-teacher roles, classroom activities, and teacher education can promote civic values of equality, respect, responsibility, tolerance, and compassion. A learner-centered environment where there is group work, open communication, and participation, models these values. By including cultural content and engaging students with meaningful issues, teachers can increase interest and motivation.

9. Board Game: Name 3

   In: Activate Games for Learning American English: Board Games Format(s): Text

   The board game Name 3… gives students a variety of prompts to talk about things they know about.

10. Board Game: Use a Word

    In: Activate Games for Learning American English: Board Games Format(s): Text

    This board game provides students with a specific word they should try to use in a sentence. Download the game, instructions, and game variations.

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