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1. Reflective Teaching: The Principles and Practices

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

   Reflective teaching is highly popular within English language programs, but there is some debate over definitions and best practices for reflective teaching. The author explores current approaches to reflective teaching (e.g., reflection-in-action, action research) and provides guides for a teacher development model using reflective teaching. He concludes that teachers who use reflection will gain freedom from impulse and uncertainty and will redefine themselves as educated and experienced human beings.

2. Laugh and Learn: Thinking Over the "Funny Teacher" Myth

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The author in this article presents laughter and fun as an important part of a language classroom. The author suggests that when you laugh you learn better. Humor is introduced as a way to increase motivation and decrease anxiety. The author defines the “funny teacher” as a serious professional who uses humor to provide students with an enjoyable journey through learning. Activities are suggested for increasing fun and learning in the language classroom.

3. The Use of X and Other Creative Ways to Retell Events

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

   In this article, author Aljohn Francis Ruiz Flores presents a clever and easy-to-apply technique that helps students engage with texts they are reading in an enjoyable way: they show their comprehension by generating tweets (or posts or texts), using their own words to retell events and characters’ thoughts. The versatile technique allows students at all levels to be creative but can also be used as a check on student comprehension and even for assessment.

4. VOA Podcast: American History: A Declaration Seeking Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

   In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): Website

   Listen to Voice of America (VOA) Podcast: American History: A Declaration Seeking Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Podcast from VOA Learning English: About the USA. Stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.

5. State and County Fairs: Family Fun Across the USA

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

   This feature article is on state and county fairs, “eagerly awaited celebrations of the nation’s agricultural bounty, love of competition, and community spirit.” The article discusses the history of fairs, where innovations in farm equipment and household appliances are displayed, and people engage in competition, fun, rides, and viewing curiosities. Some characteristics of fairs that are described are animals, education, competition, entertainment, and community involvement. Segments on 4-H and fair food follow the article.

6. Open Classroom Communication and the Learning of Citizenship Values

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

   This article discusses the importance of fostering citizenship values in language classrooms around the world, and specifically in Morocco. Class content, student-teacher roles, classroom activities, and teacher education can promote civic values of equality, respect, responsibility, tolerance, and compassion. A learner-centered environment where there is group work, open communication, and participation, models these values. By including cultural content and engaging students with meaningful issues, teachers can increase interest and motivation.

7. Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom

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

   "Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom" explores the popularity of illustrated stories among teachers and students alike and offers suggestions on how to use them to “animate” your classes.

8. My Classroom: Vermont and the World

   In: English Teaching Forum 2021, Volume 59, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Learn how Kaitlan Spencer uses her talents as a teacher, along with expertise in video editing and film production, to make online learning enjoyable and effective as she works with refugees and immigrants (and others) to develop their English language ability and other essential life skills.

9. Spoken Grammar and Its Role in the English Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2014, Volume 52, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Spoken grammar has an important role in communicative English language teaching, and teachers who understand how to teach it can improve their students’ fluency.

10. The Line Between Questions, Responses, and Readers

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

    This article uses the Stephen Crane story “The Open Boat” (freely available on the American English website) as an anchor text to demonstrate how teachers can apply Raphael’s Question-Answer Relationship (QAR) technique to a text that students might be assigned to read. The article includes numerous examples and tips that teachers can use to adapt the technique to other texts as a way to enhance student engagement and interest in reading.

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