Advanced Search: Resources

1. Internet TESL Journal (iTESL-j)

   Format(s): Website

   This website is an online resource for teachers who can refer to our published articles on teaching techniques and other things of interest to EFL and ESL teachers. Articles and lesson ideas are indexed and searchable.

2. Transforming the Whole Class into Gossiping Groups

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

   This article discusses various communicative purposes displayed by speakers of a language, including focusing on the topic of gossiping as a universal language function and exploring ways to exploit our human tendency for gossip to provide language fluency practice. The author provides two different interactive gossip activities that can be used in the classroom to help students speak more fluently. Included are step-by-step details for each lesson plan and each activity.

3. A Case Study of Reflective Journals in a University Level Writing Course in Hungary

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

   This article is about the author’s experience using learning logs and in-class journaling for her college-level ESL writing class in Hungary. Her purpose was to gather information on the students’ writing experiences, both before and during the class, and to address issues raised in the logs and journals. She taught the class with a reflective-teaching, learner-centered style and a process-learning curriculum.

4. Written Peer Response in L2 Writing

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

   This article argues that peer reviews of student writing should be done in writing and orally, as opposed to only in writing or only orally. Peer reviewing usually addresses the organization and style of student writing. The author discusses eight advantages to managing a peer-review process this way.

5. Motivating Students by Modifying Evaluation Methods

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

   This author identifies three key elements to student assessment—overly critical correcting, expectations, and competitive scoring—that prevent success in the ESL environment, based on the typical Chinese educational structure. The article discusses several techniques, mostly learner-centered, that a teacher can use to provide effective assessments while also creating an environment of trust, confidence, and fairness, where a student feels safe to take risks.

6. Brain-Based Research & Language Teaching

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article summarizes information on how the human brain works. It presents insights from research on the human brain that informs second and foreign language teachers. This article offers seven principles that can provide a general context for learning and teaching and lists some guidelines for selecting classroom materials, strategies, and methodologies.

7. Teaching Conversation with Trivia

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article presents reasons for using trivia (a quizzing game) to teach conversation and provides tips on how trivia-based materials fit into communicative language teaching approaches. It also presents examples of trivia-based activities that can be used in the conversation classroom. The article suggests that using trivia-based materials makes the content more interesting, meaningful, and thus motivating for learners.

8. A View of the Past: The Second Decade (1973 - 1982)

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article reflects on the articles published at the second decade of Forum (1973-1982) to reconsider theoretical perspectives and classroom practices that are still relevant today. It discusses two recurring themes. The first addresses the meaning of linguistic competence, and the second relates to the effectiveness of language teaching methods. The article focuses on four major pieces published at different times within that period.

9. Nasreddin Hodja and the Importance of Context

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article introduces the tales of Nasreddin Hodja, a 15th century Turkish folk character and uses them to illustrate the importance of context, the need for multiple perspectives, and the role of the teacher. The author looks at various aspects of context, such as social, cultural, and historical contexts. The idea of multiple perspectives is explained with the current multiple intelligence theory. The author addresses the role of the teacher in terms of teaching style.

10. Using Task Journals with Independent Readers

    In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 3 Format(s): Text

    This article discusses using journal tasks to help intermediate students with the challenges they face when they do independent reading in ESL/EFL reading classes. It describes the design, implementation, and integration of task journals designed to encourage students to think about content, reflection on the reading process, and vocabulary learning.

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