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1. English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 1

   Format(s): Text

   The popular hobby of knitting is the feature topic of this issue. A new section, Classroom Activities, offers three stand-alone activities related to the theme of knitting plus other articles.

2. The Lighter Side

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

   This is a logic puzzle called “Where’s the Beef.” This activity begins with a word search where students must find hidden words in a grid of letters, all related to McDonald’s and various fast food restaurant items. Also included in the game is a list of eleven related facts that students must read and analyze in order to answer the question stated at the beginning of the game. The activity is intended to help students practice vocabulary, spelling, and critical thinking.

3. Motivating Students by Modifying Evaluation Methods

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

   This author identifies three key elements to student assessment—overly critical correcting, expectations, and competitive scoring—that prevent success in the ESL environment, based on the typical Chinese educational structure. The article discusses several techniques, mostly learner-centered, that a teacher can use to provide effective assessments while also creating an environment of trust, confidence, and fairness, where a student feels safe to take risks.

4. Phonetic Symbols: A Necessary Stepping Stone for ESL Students

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

   This article discusses why English pronunciation and intonation have been ignored in Hong Kong ESL classes. It also discusses why it is essential to teach English phonetic symbols to attain better pronunciation skills. The article describes what actions should be taken to implement an English pronunciation component into teaching ESL.

5. The Children's Response: TPR and Beyond

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

   This article describes a technique called The Children’s Response, which can be used to teach young EFL learners. The technique is based on Total Physical Response (TPR), which actively involves children from kindergarten to beyond third grade. The article offers three lessons that provide practice with the form and function of the present and past tense as well as prepositions and imperative commands.

6. Rules and Laws

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article presents a lesson that gives students the opportunity to explore aspects of rules and laws. The goal of the lesson is to help students learn vocabulary and concepts associated with the topic, practice their English language skills, and develop an understanding of the role of rules and laws in civil societies. The article shares three activities for a fifty-minute lesson plan, but the authors state that teachers may modify the lesson for their own contexts and student needs.

7. Determining Students' Language Needs in a Tertiary Setting

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses students' perceptions of their language learning needs. It describes a survey conducted among university students and professors to find out how students rated their competence in particular skills and compares the results to those of their English teachers. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with the students, English teachers, and program directors. This needs analysis project helped to update the university English department curriculum and course offerings.

8. English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 2

   Format(s): Text

   This issue opens with articles on merging environmental education and language instruction and “Film Circles.” The “Reflections” section features “From Unity to Diversity… to Diversity within Unity” by Diane Larsen-Freeman...

9. The Roles of Assessment in Language Teaching

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This piece makes a case for using assessment to understand and identify the needs of learners and introduces the three reprints that follow: “Twenty Common Testing Mistakes for EFL Teachers to Avoid,” Coming to Grips with Progress Testing: Some Guidelines for Its Design,” and “Purposeful Language Assessment: Selecting the Right Alternative Test.”

10. English Teaching Forum 2013, Volume 51, Number 1

    Format(s): Text

    Trains, the theme of this issue, are highlighted in the feature article, the Classroom Activities, and The Lighter Side.

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