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1. Learning to Learn Cooperatively

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of cooperative learning activities in the classroom to strengthen students’ interpersonal communication skills and increase their participation in the language-learning process. It addresses the importance of cultural and individual differences in cooperative learning. The article offers practical suggestions and useful activities to teach learners how to get involved in such activities and to complete the activity successfully.

2. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "Maps and Legends" by Michael Chabon

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan is based on the article “Maps and Legends” by novelist Michael Chabon and is for high intermediate to advance students. The lesson includes group and pair work. Students discuss the neighborhood where they grew up. They read the text and identify unfamiliar words, then answer comprehension questions in writing or discussion groups. Post-reading activities include scanning, inferring meaning from context, dictionary practice, and discussion questions. The lesson ends with questions to make connections beyond the text and project ideas.

3. The First Americans: A Brief History The National Museum of the American Indian Preserving Native Languages and Cultures References, Glossary, and Websites of Interest

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

   This article introduces the history of Native Americans, including accomplishments in building, in social organization, and in art. The article discusses religion and cultural beliefs and the devastating effects that the arrival of Europeans had on Native Americans. The article includes sections on current developments as well, such as the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian and efforts to preserve native cultures and languages. The final section addresses the past practice of forcing children to leave their community to go to boarding schools.

4. Rock and Roll English Teaching: Content-Based Cultural Workshops

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

   This article considers content-based cultural workshops. With a focus on cultural content and a relaxed, engaging atmosphere, students practice language and cooperative learning strategies. The author describes the process of developing such a workshop as an extracurricular activity for a large, mixed audience. The article details an example interactive workshop on rock and roll and includes an appendix of useful websites related to the topic.

5. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This section presents two stand-alone language-learning activities with an autumn theme. 1. “How Are You, Jack-o-lantern?” is designed for students at the Upper Beginner level and can be used to build vocabulary related to emotions and encourage conversations based on them. 2.”The Incredible Shrinking Dialogue,” for students at the Upper Intermediate level and above, teaches students to analyze a text to find the most important ideas and gives students practice in paraphrasing, speaking, and performing.

6. In the Mood: Introducing Pragmatic Awareness at Low Levels

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

   This lesson in Teaching Pragmatics focuses on raising pragmatic awareness in students using the concept of "mood."

7. Supertalents

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

   "Supertalents" by Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips is a song from the American Rhythms album. Download or listen online.

8. National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition

   Format(s): Website

   Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, The National Center for English Language Acquisition provides a broad range of research and resources in support of an inclusive approach to high quality education for English Learners.

9. Cross-Cultural Competence in the Business English Classroom

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

   This webinar, "Cross-Cultural Competence in the Business English Classroom," will explore strategies to help your students engage more effectively with their business counterparts from all over the world.

10. Peace

    In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3

    In this song, hip-hop singer, humanitarian, motivational speaker and entrepreneur Chen Lo makes an appeal for peace in the world. Download the MP3 or listen online.

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