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1. Classroom Techniques: Romeo and Juliet in One Hour

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article describes the use of drama activities to motivate students, to teach vocabulary and pronunciation, and to enhance cooperative learning. The author describes in five steps the classroom procedure of an activity based on the play of Romeo and Juliet. The author discusses the results of the activity and its implications. Play scripts used in the activity are included.

2. Newspapers in America

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This is an introduction to American newspapers. It starts with a history of newspapers and the tradition of American journalism that challenges authority. The article offers a description and discussion of major American newspapers and the different sections of a typical newspaper. There is also a section introducing some famous American journalists.

3. Lesson Plan: Using Journalism Skills in the Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan contains four activities based on the theme of newspapers and journalism. It includes a lesson to familiarize students with newspapers, journalistic writing, interviewing, and creating a class newspaper. The activities can be used as individual lessons or a larger project of creating a class newspaper.

4. Poetry Corner

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

   This issue’s “Poetry Corner” revolves around the poem “Coins” by Richard Newman. It includes a lesson plan for teaching students about American Coins, as well as a glossary of terms. Skills include vocabulary, reading, and discussion. The lesson works with the feature article entitled US Coins.

5. Smithsonian IdeaLabs

   Format(s): Video, Website

   Visit the Smithsonian IdeaLabs to view online student tutorials that bring the museums to life, featuring American history, science, and culture.

6. Stories about the USA

   Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   Short vignettes on American Life, with video, audio and written materials, produced by Voice of America.

7. A Tale of Two Animals

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   An Indonesian fable is the theme of this three-part lesson for young learners. Students practice with the past-tense verbs used in the fable. By listening, reading and ordering the sentences, and copying a paragraph of the story, students become very familiar with the fable. The lessons finish with homework to write a play based on the fable. Students may select and perform the best play from their group.

8. Houseboats

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This lesson uses a text about the houseboats of Kashmir to give students practice with descriptions, compound words, and participles. The lesson plan could be adapted to tourist destinations familiar to the students. Students are asked to write a description of their homes and create a tourism brochure for their own cities or towns.

9. Practicum: Microteaching for Non-Native Speaking Teacher Trainees

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   In situations where it is not possible for trainees to practice teaching in local schools, teaching short lessons to their peers—called microteaching--can provide beneficial experience and feedback to teachers-in-training. The article includes guidelines for presenters, observers, and teacher trainers as well as a sample practicum class schedule and microteaching lesson. Students experience microteaching both in small groups and with the whole class.

10. Designing Lessons for EFL Listening Comprehension Classes

    In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 3 Format(s): Text

    To keep students motivated, the author outlines several principles for developing listening comprehension lessons. When learners focus on a clear learning objective, retention improves. Other recommendations include keeping the same topic and objective for several activities and selecting relevant, authentic material with a clear layout and pictures to help with prediction. The author discusses appropriate teaching methods, such as variety and effective questioning.

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