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1. Classroom Techniques: - Nonstop Writing

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article offers Nonstop Writing as a classroom activity to help students overcome the anxiety that can come with composition in a second language. Nonstop Writing is defined as timed, ungraded writing on an assigned topic. The author describes how to carry out and use this activity.

2. Graphing Activity Student Survey

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article shows how a learner poll can become a graphing activity for students. The author gives the reasons for using graphing activities as well as instructions for warm-up activities, graphing, and follow-up activities for a unit on sports. The author also provides ideas for using graphs with other themes.

3. Classroom Techniques: Some Communicative Activities Based on Overhead Projectors

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article offers sample activities that use an overhead projector. These activities encourage students to use the target language while recalling information they have already learned. Activities include making shapes on the projector for discussion, manipulating objects to practice prepositions, and creating dialogues.

4. NASCAR: An American Sport and Pastime

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article, written for students, is about NASCAR, a popular auto racing sport in the United States. It offers the history of the sport, interesting pictures, and a piece on the importance of a pit crew. There is also a profile of Jeff Gordon, a popular and winning driver. Also included are a list of NASCAR vocabulary and websites of interest, an overview of the sport and its rules, and information on three legendary drivers.

5. Tutorials: A Way of Building Community in the Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   These authors from Singapore and Macao discuss the benefits of developing a sense of community in the classroom, which they say can build an environment of trust and mutual confidence with Chinese students. The authors recommend using individual and group tutorials. Although some teachers think tutorials are too much work, the authors claim it is worthwhile. These tutorials are developed with an informal structure and encourage a free flow of conversation. The article gives examples of how tutorials are used in the ESL classroom.

6. From Passive Participant to Active Thinker

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses how, through materials development, teachers can help students think critically and feel comfortable enough to be active participants in class. The author suggests adapting materials to be more relevant to the interests and needs of students in a particular context. Another suggestion is to create materials that help students connect their thoughts and feelings to the language they are learning. The author includes techniques to promote critical thinking and learner autonomy.

7. Climbing Grammar Mountain: An Interactive Learning Experience

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article describes a grammar game that is an enjoyable way for students to correct sentences. In Climbing Grammar Mountain, best suited for secondary and university students, learners compete in teams to “climb” a game board. They earn needed equipment in the form of sentences. If a student can correctly state whether a sentence is grammatical, s/he is able to proceed, with bonus points for correcting an incorrect sentence. The game board, sample sentences, and instructions for teachers and students are included along with suggestions for adaptations.

8. Story Theater

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

   This article introduces an interactive and engaging classroom activity entitled Story Theater. The goal of this activity is to provide students with a text to read aloud as they act out the storyline using props and special effects. The purpose of Story Theater is to aid fluency and memorization and to provide students with a chance to use the language and their imaginations. This activity can be used with all ages and all English proficiency levels. The author includes examples of effective Story Theater lessons.

9. Literature and Language

   Format(s): Website

   Language arts resources including reading, literature, and poetry. Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE).

10. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

    Format(s): Website

    Information on health and safety topics, up-to-date statistics, tools, and resources for students and educators.

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