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1. Black Alley: Be Me

   In: ENGLISH LANGUAGE THROUGH LYRICS Format(s): MP3, Text

   Washington, D.C. based BLACK ALLEY has been pushing the art of music to its rhythmic limits for some time now.

2. 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.

3. A Thought Provoking Warm Up Activity for Teacher Training

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

   The author provides a simple warm-up procedure for jumpstarting a teacher training session. Her activity requires teachers to think about and physically align themselves with their teaching philosophy. Once decided, teachers communicate how their past experiences have helped shape their philosophy. The focus is on sharing ideas and opinions through thoughtful discussion. A suggested extension is also provided for teacher trainers who prioritize group decision-making.

4. Abstracts from Other Journals

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

   “Abstracts from Other Journals” provides information on articles from CATESOL Journal, Language Testing, RELC Journal, and Prospect: An Australian Journal of TESOL. Topics include the professional development of non-native teachers of English (addressing cultural differences); the impact of the interviewer on the test results of oral interviews (like IELTS); a look at how the field of TEFL/TESL has changed over the past 30 years from the point of view of Jack C. Richards; and implementing standards (reforming curriculum and evaluating teachers).

5. A Postcard from America

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

   This feature article for learner use is by author Robert Olen Butler. It briefly describes the history and cultural aspects of postcards. The author provides detail about several postcards in his personal collection. He values the images and the glimpses into people’s lives as written on the postcards. A glossary of terms and images of postcards accompany the article. Appropriate for high intermediate to advanced students.

6. Extra Work or Work Extra: Five Steps for Studying Vocabulary

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 4 Format(s): Text

   An instructor shares a plan for extra study that helped struggling students learn vocabulary. Students selected five words from each unit of their class text. A sample of words from the text “Raise the Issues” and reasons for choosing them are included. The five steps used to learn the words were learning pronunciation, recognizing other word forms, using the dictionary, reading the word in context, and using the word in context. Scaffolding for writing with the word is provided. This method was more successful and more popular than extra quizzes for low-achieving students.

7. A Plan for Using - "Save the Lofty Trees" by Leslie Mills

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The author describes how to use the play “Save the Lofty Trees” in a classroom. The plan offers six activities that will promote student interaction, involving guided imagination, brainstorming, group-work, creative movement, and an interactive read through. This lesson plan is intended for young learners and addresses all learning styles.

8. Lesson Plan: Taking a Look at Schools

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan, based on a short reading of a student’s description of a one-room schoolhouse, has a variety of activities, including group discussions, vocabulary practice, a spelling bee, research topics, interviews, and a task that has students exploring their own school.

9. Classroom Techniques: - What a Feeling!

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article argues for the use of collaborative writing through poems in the ESL classroom. This activity gives students the motivation to express their creativity while improving teamwork skills that are important outside of the classroom. The author describes how collaborative poetry is introduced and carried out, gives examples of student poems, and suggests how the activity can be used with other genres as well.

10. Classroom Techniques: Unleashing Writing Creativity in Students

    In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

    This article argues for free, creative writing in the L2 classroom. The author states that because writing can be stressful and at times paralyzing, the goal of L2 writing should not be to produce perfect, error-free work. The teacher should be a coach, dictionary, and grammar book. The author includes creative writing activities.

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