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Instant Feedback for Learner Training: Using Individual Assessment Cards

In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This article presents the idea of using student assessment cards to train students to adopt efficient learning strategies. It discusses how individual assessment cards allow each student to see how well he or she is progressing at any point in the course. The article describes what a student assessment card is and provides detailed guidelines, including descriptions of the content on each side of the card, and about when and how to use these in the language classroom.

Developing Dynamic Units for EFL

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

“Developing Dynamic Units for EFL” describes how to develop a thematic unit that integrates skills in context, provides opportunities for learner autonomy, and is project-based and experiential. Planning includes identifying curriculum standards, thinking of a meaningful topic, brainstorming tasks, organizing the activities, and making use of learner choice. The sample unit “Eating Out with Friends” includes the topics of inviting friends; choosing a restaurant and making a reservation; finding and communicating directions; ordering and requesting the bill; and thanking friends and retelling the story.

Near-Peer Tutoring in an ESOL Music Project

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

This article describes how near-peer tutoring was used to foster a supportive, learner-centered environment in an adult ESOL setting. Students from beginning and advanced classes worked together to learn a song to perform at a year-end ceremony. The task involved vocabulary, pronunciation, intonation, and comprehension. Benefits of the music project included building relationships, breaking the routine, and lowering students’ affective filters. The project allowed the adults to be self-directed, empowered them to critique themselves, and gave them a sense of accomplishment.

Chapter 1: Defining Peace

In: Language and Civil Society E-Journal: Peace Education Format(s): Text

This chapter in the Peace Education volume of the Language and Civil Society e-journal provides learners with a common core of knowledge and experiences related to the concept of peace.

Chapter 3: Human Population

In: Language and Civil Society E-Journal: Environmental Education Format(s): Text

This chapter in the Environmental Education volume of the Language and Civil Society e-journal focuses on the effect that overpopulation has on the environment.

English Magazines = Motivation + Improved ESL Writing Skills

In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

Creating and editing a magazine in English is a challenging and motivating type of portfolio assessment. It encourages student fluency and freedom by allowing students to choose their own topics for writing. It is real communication for a real audience and requires students to take responsibility for their own writing. It can also make the teacher’s job more enjoyable. The article describes a magazine-editing project for an intermediate university writing class. The students performed well on the national writing examination.

Chapter 7: Societal Dilemmas: Finding a Balance

In: Language and Civil Society E-Journal: Civic Education Format(s): Text

This chapter in the Civic Education volume of the Language and Civil Society e-journal focuses on the tensions that exist between the values, needs, and interests of individuals and those of society at large.

A Classroom Response to HIV/AIDS - Project Proposal Writing

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

This article describes a task-based writing project. High-school students in Zambia wrote a proposal to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in their community. By writing on a topic related to their lives, students were motivated and empowered to use their English skills for positive change. The project was an interactive workshop that invited a community leader to help with brainstorming, the setting of ground rules, and understanding of the issue. Students worked together on their responses and drafted and revised a proposal that was based on a model from UNICEF.

Creating Meaningful Web Pages: A Project-Based Course

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

This article describes a nine-week course in Web design that can guide students in the production of an electronic project. It discusses the importance of project-based courses in language teaching since they offer learners an opportunity to be creative, control their own learning, and produce something tangible. The article addresses the benefits and difficulties of teaching such a course.

Chapter 6: Climate Change