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1. Creative Classroom Activities

   Format(s): Text

   Creative Classroom Activities is the second of a two-volume anthology of articles published between 1989 and 1993 in English Teaching Forum. Download the e-book or PDF.

2. No Books and 150 Students?

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article describes the author’s experiences coping with the challenges of teaching English in an Indonesian university, such as classroom conditions and large numbers of students at different proficiency levels. The author suggests five activities that are designed to involve students in learning with little dependence on materials and little movement. The author also describes three out-of-class activities. Appendices include materials for the activities and additional references.

3. A Questionnaire Project: Integrating the Four Macro Skills with Critical Thinking

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

   This article describes the steps of a questionnaire project that uses listening, speaking, reading and writing while developing interpretation skills and self-regulation. The project creates survey questions, collects and analyzes data, and reports results. While students work in groups, they have opportunities to brainstorm, express opinions, and ask for clarification. The article includes tips on time constraints, evaluation of data, participation, and topic selection.

4. Beyond Film: Exploring the Content of Movies

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

   This article looks at the use of movies in the language-learning classroom. The author promotes the use of the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird” due to its content, which involves poverty, racial inequality and mental illness, and to the availability of websites related to its use in English classrooms. The author highlights six scenes for understanding the movie, pre-viewing, while viewing, and post-viewing activities, as well as suggestions for Internet follow-up. An example WebQuest is included.

5. Using Replacement Performance Role-Plays in the Language Classroom

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

   Replacement performance role plays are a different type of role play. Rather than memorizing or writing a dialogue, this activity asks learners to listen and consider other possible responses. Students decide which character will be replaced and what they will do differently. Even shy learners or ones with lower proficiency levels can be involved because it is less overwhelming than writing a dialogue. The activity develops pragmatic competence and critical thinking skills. Popular TV shows can be used.

6. Student-Centered Teaching in Large Classes with Limited Resources

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

   The authors shares suggestions for instructors who teach large classes (from 50-80 students) with minimal resources. The challenges of managing the classroom, using pair and group work effectively, and working with limited resources are addressed. The authors suggests ways to take attendance quickly, to reduce written work to grade, to start and stop communicative activities, and to keep motivation high when students work at different speeds. Suggestions were tested by action research. Two classrooms are described.

7. SWELL: A Writing Method to Help English Language Learners

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

   Social-interactive Writing for English Language Learners (SWELL) is collaborative writing based on Topping’s Paired Writing Method. The method was changed to meet the needs of English language learners. In both methods, pairs are formed according to proficiency, pairing a more advanced student (a Helper) with a less advanced one (a Writer). The author describes the steps of generating ideas, drafting, reading, editing, best copy, and evaluating. Features of SWELL include using students’ linguistic knowledge (L1), balancing fluency with mechanics, and promoting explicit teacher instruction.

8. Proverbs & Quotables: Using Very Short Texts in Language Learning

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   This webinar demonstrates why and how to use short texts in the language classroom. Discover the usefulness of proverbs and actively take part in a range of activities based on very short texts. Watch the online webinar recording and or download the presentation.

9. Art for All: Teaching Resources from the Metropolitan Museum of Art

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   "Art for All: Teaching Resources from the Metropolitan Museum of Art" webinar demonstrates how experience with art can support language development. This interactive session features an introduction to selections from the Met’s encyclopedic collection, strategies for engaging students with works of art, and an overview of related online resources available for teachers.

10. Teachers Helping Teachers: Peer Observation for Professional Development

    In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

    This webinar will explore how teachers can turn this stressful situation into a positive professional development opportunity by engaging in collaborative peer observations.

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