Site Search

1. Ten Characteristics of a Good Teacher

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The author, an experienced English teacher, combines her professional experience with her language learner experience to identify her ideal language teacher. Her top ten characteristics focus on four areas: affective characteristics including humor and enthusiasm; skills such as the use of creative tools; classroom management styles and academic knowledge. The author claims motivation thrives on success, and by adopting these characteristics, students will react positively.

2. English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 2

   Format(s): Text

   Continuing this year’s focus on American sports, the feature article in this issue is about lacrosse. A lesson plan called “Be a Good Sport” provides activities centering on lacrosse and on sportsmanship. Other articles in this issue discuss using films for intercultural training, differentiating between cooperation and collaboration in group work, and consciousness-raising and prepositions.

3. English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 3

   Format(s): Text

   Baseball is the focus of this issue. "Baseball: A National Tradition" offers an in-depth look at this popular American sport, while the Lesson Plan provides activities to interest students in baseball. Other articles in this issue discuss teaching critical thinking to prepare EFL students for university success, setting up oral homework, using mobile phones in the language classroom, and an innovative way to use literature to teach advanced EFL students.

4. English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 4

   Format(s): Text

   This issue features American football. The Athletes, Actions, and Adjectives lesson plan introduces basic ideas about U.S. football team names. Following up, The Lighter Side provides puzzles related to football. Other articles discuss using 'I-can' statements to promote confidence in writing, writing professional articles, macrostrategies for L2 teacher observation and feedback, and low-cost teaching tools.

5. English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2

   Format(s): Text

   The spotlight is on New Mexico. Accompanying the feature article is a lesson plan designed to teach students about the state’s climate and energy issues. Other articles focus on World Englishes, organizational skills that aid language learning, public speaking tasks in English language learning, ways to make university English classes more interactive, and video recording in teacher training.

6. English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 3

   Format(s): Text

   The feature article focuses on Virginia, The Old Dominion, and a companion lesson plan is titled “Virginia: Jamestown and Its People.” Other articles in this issue explore literary analysis in the EFL classroom, English instruction for the tourist industry, livening up college English classes with games, using VOA Special English to improve vocabulary, and motivating students to read.

7. Bringing One Language to Another: Multilingualism as a Resource in the Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Many EFL students are already multilingual, but they may not realize the strengths they bring to language learning. This article calls on instructors to help students develop language awareness and guide them to find ways to apply what they know about language. The author shows how this process occurred in a sociolinguistics course and includes sample lessons for all ages and a variety of levels of proficiency. Lessons incorporate the students’ language knowledge in such skill areas as grammar and vocabulary.

8. Knitting: A Craft Makes a Comeback

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article on knitting is written for learners. Knitting has become increasingly popular among young Americans. The article includes the history of knitting, reasons why people knit, new trends such as “yarn bombing” and eco-friendly knitting, and a discussion of popular knitting websites and blogs. At the end of the article, readers will find knitting vocabulary, a list of related websites, and a section entitled, “Knitting Know How.”

9. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This section presents three stand-alone learning activities related to the theme of knitting. A lesson for upper beginners uses the topic of knitting to teach clothing-related vocabulary. A lesson for intermediate learners uses an essay on knitting circles for a paragraph-ordering activity. An advanced lesson helps students understand idioms related to knitting. The lesson plan includes printable idiom cards.

10. English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1

    Format(s): Text

    Starting off the year of the American City, New York City is Forum’s first stop and the subject of this issue’s feature article. Accompanying the article is a lesson plan entitled “Exploring New York City.” Other topics in this issue include the progression of the field of TESOL, language awareness, applying reading research to lesson plan development, suggestions for academic writing instruction, and using anecdotes in language classes.

Pages