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1. From Passive Learners to Critical Thinkers: Preparing EFL Students for University Success

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article explains how the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC) revised their curriculum to best prepare EFL students for English-speaking universities. After completing a needs analysis on how to best serve their students, the committee decided to make a more interactive classroom environment in which teachers integrated the four skills, used critical thinking activities, taught grammar in context, and used various methods of assessment. Feedback showed that both the students and the teachers responded positively to the changes.

2. Applying Metacognitive Strategies to Skimming Research Articles in an ESP Context

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The article focuses on explaining to post-secondary teachers how to teach their students to use metacognitive strategies to skim research articles in specialized fields. The author briefly explains metacognitive strategies in reading tasks and discusses the importance of strategy training and having a purpose in reading. The author then describes a lesson plan that includes a presentation and a three-step guided practice. The author concludes by emphasizing reading strategy training in an ESP context.

3. Lessons from the Other Side of the Teacher’s Desk: Discovering Insights to Help Language Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   An EFL instructor shares ideas on classroom practice after participating in an intensive language program. The author discusses L1 use in the classroom as well as the importance of pronunciation instruction. The article also includes tips on acquiring vocabulary and reasons why pair and group work are good. Finally, the author considers how to support students who may be experiencing communication anxiety as they learn a new language. The article emphasizes a communicative approach and the importance of a friendly classroom environment.

4. The Relevance of Literary Analysis to Teaching Literature in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article presents a review of six approaches to teaching literature based on the author's and his colleagues' experience. It looks at the theoretical bases of these six approaches and discusses the pros and cons of using literature in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. The six approaches are evaluated based on the core principles of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). This article discusses the benefits of combining literary works with communicative activities and student motivation.

5. Easy Reading Activities to Engage Students

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

   How to engage students and help them develop the skills needed to make them better readers. Watch the webinar or download the presentation.

6. The Lighter Side of TEFL: Puzzle Stories

   In: The Lighter Side of TEFL, Volume 1 Format(s): Text

   This section of The Lighter Side of TEFL focuses on puzzle stories, which are "thinking" games that get students to think about what they are listening to or reading. This section has an audio component.

7. Teaching Students to Categorize TOEFL Essay Topics

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

   The author maintains that categorizing TOEFL iBT writing topics helps test takers because they will be more familiar with the topics and thus better able to write about them and because categorizing topics requires critical thinking about the topics. Using some of the 185 TOEFL prompt questions and 10 additional prompts, the article explores ways to code and analyze the prompts, illustrating the process with tables.

8. Module 9: Critical and Creative Thinking

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

   This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on critical and creative thinking in the classrooms.

9. To the Moon! — A Launch Pad for Encouraging Students to Express Their Opinions

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. This article outlines an activity that involves developing, communicating, and exploring opinions. Students work individually to select volunteers to go to the moon. Groups then try to agree on the selection, discussing their reasons and assumptions. A number of letter-writing assignments incorporate material from the discussions. This student-centered activity can improve confidence, critical thinking skills, and writing fluency, while students learn from and challenge each other.

10. Teaching Hospitality and Tourism: Building Leadership, Communication, and Intercultural Awareness

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

    This session, "Teaching Hospitality and Tourism: Building Leadership, Communication, and Intercultural Awareness," explores the benefits and challenges of teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and will share practical ideas for how to prepare students for careers in hospitality and tourism.

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