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1. Using VOA Special English to Improve Advanced English Learners' Productive Use of High Frequency Words

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article focuses on advanced ESL learners’ acquisition of the spelling, pronunciation, and comprehension of high-frequency words at the productive skill level rather than at the receptive skill level. It discusses the use of the Voice of America (VOA) Special English program to expose learners to different activities requiring productive skills. The article offers examples of how the VOA program exposes learners to comprehensible input through high-frequency words and helps them produce these words both in writing and speaking.

2. Lesson Plan - Virginia: Jamestown and Its People (Volume 47, Issue 3)

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   The lesson plan “Virginia: Jamestown and Its People” consists of two parts using Jamestown, a historical site in Virginia, and several of its famous figures as the source for classroom activities. Part I activities are about the site including a brief history of Jamestown and its artifacts as a basis for writing and speaking activities, while the second part focuses on some famous figures who lived there as a basis for listening and writing activities.

3. Beyond Film: Exploring the Content of Movies

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article looks at the use of movies in the language-learning classroom. The author promotes the use of the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird” due to its content, which involves poverty, racial inequality and mental illness, and to the availability of websites related to its use in English classrooms. The author highlights six scenes for understanding the movie, pre-viewing, while viewing, and post-viewing activities, as well as suggestions for Internet follow-up. An example WebQuest is included.

4. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This section presents two stand-alone language-learning activities with an autumn theme. 1. “How Are You, Jack-o-lantern?” is designed for students at the Upper Beginner level and can be used to build vocabulary related to emotions and encourage conversations based on them. 2.”The Incredible Shrinking Dialogue,” for students at the Upper Intermediate level and above, teaches students to analyze a text to find the most important ideas and gives students practice in paraphrasing, speaking, and performing.

5. In the Mood: Introducing Pragmatic Awareness at Low Levels

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Website

   This lesson in Teaching Pragmatics focuses on raising pragmatic awareness in students using the concept of "mood."

6. Polite Ways of Correcting or Contradicting our Conversation's Partner's Assumptions

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson aims to raise learners' pragmatic awareness towards an important conversational function and to help them to be aware of the negative impression brought about by the non-use of actually (or other softeners of contradiction or correction) and for students to learn to produce corrections or contradictions prefaced by actually.

7. A Plan for Using - "Save the Lofty Trees" by Leslie Mills

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The author describes how to use the play “Save the Lofty Trees” in a classroom. The plan offers six activities that will promote student interaction, involving guided imagination, brainstorming, group-work, creative movement, and an interactive read through. This lesson plan is intended for young learners and addresses all learning styles.

8. Board Game: Name Your Favorite

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

   The board game 'Name Your Favorite' provides an opportunity for students to talk about their favorite things in a variety of categories. For this board game, you will find the downloadable game, game instructions, and game variations.

9. Board Game: Have You Ever? Oh, When?

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

   The board game Have You Ever? Oh, When? Allows students to talk about their personal experiences while practicing the present perfect. For this board game, you will find the downloadable game, game instructions, and game variations.

10. Board Game: About Me

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

    The board game About Me gives students a variety of prompts to talk about themselves. For this board game, you will find the downloadable game, game instructions, and game variations.

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