Site Search

1. Lesson Observation: The Key to Teacher Development

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The author describes teacher training and teacher development as separate concepts through descriptions of how observation occurs in Cameroon. While training is a planned event that gives novices ready-made answers, development is an ongoing, organic process that values teacher innovation and reflection. Observers interested in development may use of a lesson observation cycle that includes pre-observation and post-observation meetings. The role of inspectors and peers in observation is also discussed.

2. Options for Teacher Professional Development

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article addresses the relationship of high-quality teacher characteristics to student learning and then presents eight elements of development and six models of teacher training. The eight elements are: voluntary participation, mutual respect, collaboration, action and reflection, organizational setting, choice and change, motivation, and self-direction. The six models are: conference planning (set goals before going), peer coaching, action research (how to improve one’s own practice), collaborative study groups, individual development plan, and dialogue journals.

3. A Process Genre Model for Teaching Writing

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

   This article considers three different approaches to the teaching of writing: the product approach, the process approach, and the genre approach. After explaining the different approaches, the author uses recent research to suggest a combination of the genre/process approaches in the composition classroom. A lesson plan is provided.

4. Advocacy for Language Teacher Associations

   In: English Teaching Forum 2022, Volume 60, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Using a case study and inviting reader reflection, Luis Javier Pentón Herrera presents four types of advocacy used by language teacher associations (LTAs) and demonstrates how those types play out in proactive by giving real-world examples; the author also proposes and explains three steps LTAs can take to become advocacy-centered organizations.

5. Library of Congress Teacher’s Page

   Format(s): Website

   Teaching the use of primary sources through interactive media, online professional development, and materials.

6. Teacher's Corner: Grammar Games

   Format(s): Text

   This month in the Teacher’s Corner, we present games you can use with your students to make learning grammar fun.

7. Reciprocal Teaching: A Useful Tool in Increasing Student-Talking Time

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   Reciprocal Teaching (RT) can be used to increase student talk time and improve communicative competence. This strategy uses paraphrasing, reported speech, question formation and concept-checking to promote dialogue. As students move from short responses toward longer conversations (or language for transactional purposes), their fluency and retention increase. These “long turns” provide important practice. The author also emphasizes the importance of prompts for lower-level students. The article includes examples of each strategy as well as several axioms of reciprocal teaching.

8. Teacher Resources

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   Two publications are summarized. First, Controversies in Applied Linguistics, edited by Barbara Seidlhofer, clarifies the issues that are at the center of controversies. The book explores and analyzes the arguments and “subcontroversies” in a neutral manner. The book does not require previous knowledge of the arguments. The second book is Linguistic Genocide in Education—or Worldwide Diversity and Human Rights? by Tove Skutnabb-Kangas. It discusses the dying off of minority languages and the importance of language diversity.

9. Seven Wonders: Bringing Student-Centered Learning into a Teacher-Centers Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Authors Adrienne Lee Seo and Tozagul Nasrullaeva brought student-centered learning into their classes in Uzbekistan by introducing project-based learning (PBL) projects; in this article, they present a detailed example of how to use the Seven Wonders (Ancient, Natural, and Modern) of the World in a student-driven project that integrates a variety of skills. The authors offer suggestions for other topics that can be used in similarly productive ways.

10. Trace Effects Teacher Manual Introduction

    In: Trace Effects Teacher's Manual Format(s): Text

    The Trace Effects Teacher's Manual Introduction provides teachers a resource on the methodology and pedagogy of using games for learning, including how to use Trace Effects for classroom learning.

Pages