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Using the English Language to Connect with Teachers around the World

“The discussions helped participants envision how the theories learned could better inform our materials writing,” Aliaa explains. “There were also collaborative materials development projects conducted in small groups via web-based document sharing applications.”

Lessons in Life

In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

"Lessons in Life" by Bridgette Bryant and Daniel Ho is a song from the American Rhythms album. Download or listen online.

Encouraging Student Voices in a Chinese Classroom

In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 4 Format(s): Text

The author shares two activities she developed to promote student participation and encourage candid feedback. The first strategy involved having a student "facilitator" play the role of the teacher in small group discussions, providing an alternative to teacher-centered classrooms. To receive candid feedback from students, the author developed a system called no-fuss feedback. Students drew a large circle on a piece of paper and, as they listened to a list of class activities, they wrote the name of the activity in the circle if it helped them, and outside the circle if it did not.

Week 1 - Building a Strong Classroom Community

In: Teacher's Corner: Promoting Learner Engagement Format(s): Text

In this week’s Teacher’s Corner, we offer three suggestions to promote student-student relationships. You can use these in your own classrooms as you work toward greater student engagement.

English Teaching Forum 2015, Volume 53, Number 4

Format(s): Text

English Teaching Forum supports the teaching of English around the world through the exchange of innovative, practical ideas. Below is a description of each section of the journal, along with suggestions about how to use it.

Dictionary.com

Format(s): Website

Dictionary.com has several sub-pages, including Thesaurus, Word Dynamo, Quotes, Reference, and Translator. There are a variety of educational activities and resources on each of these pages, filled with interesting ways for teachers and students to learn.

Module 4: Pairwork/Groupwork

In: Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World Format(s): Text, Video, Website

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on pair and group work.

Channelling Children's Energy Through Vocabulary Activities

In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 2 Format(s): Text

In this article, the author shares vocabulary development activities for young learners. These activities channel students' energy and make learning more effective and fun. The author stresses the importance of giving young learners a good language-learning experience, and the challenges of teaching young learners who are not literate in their L1. The author describes six activities that allow learners to laugh, to move, and to make noise while learning vocabulary.

Using Progressive I-Can Statements to Promote Learner Confidence in Writing

In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 4 Format(s): Text

Language learners may sometimes feel shy and unsure of their abilities and may not be able to see what they are able to do. The authors found that writing I-can statements (e.g., I can write the names of foods in English) can be a good way to build confidence. Students use their I-can records to assess their own progress. The authors offer a starting point for teachers by presenting ideas for tasks such as copying words, writing signs, and writing about the weekend.

English Teaching Forum 2015, Volume 53, Number 2