Advanced Search: Resources

1. "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.

2. Abstracts from Other Journals

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

   Two abstracts are presented from other journals, “Transcending the Nativeness Paradigm” from World Englishes and “Enriching Reality: Language Corpora in Language Pedagogy” from ELT Journal. In the first, the authors argue that the binary classification of native or non-native speakers is based on socially constructed identity. They use four case studies based on four participants to validate their point. The authors of the second abstract argue that using corpora has been overlooked by L2 learners, and provide suggestions on how to incorporate this within a classroom.

3. Using L1 in the English Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

   The author provides details on a case study she performed to examine the effectiveness of using the native language (L1) in foreign language classrooms. The article describes the details of her research design and her methods and procedures, including classroom observations, interviews, and questionnaires. One hundred first-year English major students in Beijing participated in her study. Included are the results of her study and a comparison of her findings to that of other researchers.

4. Helping Professionals Prepare Presentations in English for International Conferences

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This English teacher in Argentina describes how she helped a local doctor prepare for a presentation made in English at an international trade conference held in the United States. The article discusses how the author prepared to work with the specific topic, ophthalmology, the use of cognates in the specialized field, tips for helping the physician with his pronunciation, and the outcome of the presentation.

5. Written Peer Response in L2 Writing

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article argues that peer reviews of student writing should be done in writing and orally, as opposed to only in writing or only orally. Peer reviewing usually addresses the organization and style of student writing. The author discusses eight advantages to managing a peer-review process this way.

6. News & Notes

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This entry tells readers that audio from vinyl records included in Forum over 20 years ago is now available free via the Internet at www.antimoon.com. The audio files includes shaggy dog jokes and a train story. There is also an announcement of a new journal, the Journal of English for Academic Purposes, which started last year to keep EAP teachers and researchers up to date.

7. Testing Writing in the EFL Classroom: Student Expectations

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article reports on the inconsistency between the expected and actual grades of learners of English as foreign language in freshman English writing classes. It discusses the differences between students’ and instructors’ perceptions of acceptable essay writing. It suggests that teachers develop valid and reliable testing procedures and help students to increase their awareness and understanding of the proficiency levels required to write essays.

8. Abstracts from Other Journals

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   "Abstracts from Other Journals” discusses three articles on different issues related to second or foreign language teaching. The first is Diane Slaouti’s “The World Wide Web for Academic Purposes: Old Study Skills for New” (English for Specific Purposes). The second is Jasone Cenoz’s “Age Differences in Foreign Language Learning” ( I.T.L. Review of Applied Linguistics). The third is Deborah Schaffer’s “The Story of e-“ (English Today: The International Review of the English Language).

9. The Mediational Role of Language Teachers in Sociocultural Theory

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

   This article describes a sociocultural view of interaction, in which teachers construct knowledge with learners. Language is a mediating factor in cognitive development. The article discusses Vygotsky and the Zone of Proximal Development. According to Vygotsky, students are capable of doing more with guidance and support than they can alone. This principle leads instructors to scaffold material just beyond the leaner’s level. When teachers and students have meaningful interaction, learning is enhanced.

10. Microteaching

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

    This brief article introduces the reader to the microteaching procedure. Teachers in training will prepare a short microlesson of five to ten minutes in length for normally fewer than ten students. Students may be real or trainees. The lesson is videotaped and discussed with colleagues and/or supervisors. The teacher then reteaches the lesson. This help teacher reflect and grow as well as consult with peers. Suggestions for preparation and teaching of microlessons are provided.

Pages