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1. Activate Games for Learning English - Guess What?

   Format(s): Text

   Guess What? cards can be used for a variety of games in the classroom to provide an opportunity for students to practice making descriptions in English and to learn English vocabulary.

2. Spot the Problem! (reprinted from Teaching Pragmatics)

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan considers pragmatic violations of openings, closings, and requests. These humorous role plays involve continuing a conversation when one person is trying to end it, being overly direct, and providing an overly informative answer to the greeting “How are you?” Textbooks may lack complete openings and closings, so it is worthwhile to spend time on post-openings and pre-closings. Politeness in English may be problematic for EFL learners because of the lack of grammatical forms that mark it.

3. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "Just Off Main Street" by Elmaz Abinader

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 3 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan is designed for high intermediate to advanced English language learners. Based on an authentic, contemporary essay by an accomplished American writer, the lesson plan includes tasks and activities designed to improve students’ English language skills as well as increase their understanding of American culture. The lesson includes pre-, during, and post reading activities to improve comprehension, learn new vocabulary, and make connections beyond the text. Websites of interest and useful questions for discussion or writing are included.

4. "Imported" Communicative Language Teaching: Implications for Local Teachers

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

   This article criticizes the rejection of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in non-Western contexts. Teachers sometimes avoid CLT because it includes ideas (such as autonomy and choice) that do not always fit with the educational, social, and cultural perspectives of their areas. The author defines CLT, considers the issues that come with importing this teaching method, and offers suggestions to help EFL teachers adapt CLT to their contexts to create genuine communication.

5. Spot the Problem!

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text

   This lesson aims to discuss and raise students’ awareness of pragmatic violations.

6. E-mail Requests

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson in Teaching Pragmatics aims to help students develop appropriate written request strategies.

7. VOA Interactive Learning: Wordbooks

   Format(s): Text, Website

   Interactive wordbooks for business English and general English, and an idiom dictionary. Learn English and American Business English.

8. Voice of America Special English: Education

   Format(s): Website

   Articles and corresponding audio related to education for English language learners.

9. Voice of America's Special English: Business

   Format(s): Website

   Articles and corresponding audio related to business for English language learners.

10. Board Game: Would You Rather?

    In: Activate Games for Learning American English: Board Games Format(s): Text

    The board game "Would You Rather…Why?" gives students a chance to express their preferences on a num­ber of different topics. For this board game, you will find the downloadable game, game instructions, and game variations.

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