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1. 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.

2. Podcasting in the Classroom

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

   This webinar explores an alternative solution to the challenge of providing students enough speaking and listening time in the class.

3. TIRF Resources

   Format(s): Website

   The International Research Foundation for English Language Education has a wide variety of resources for teachers, researchers, parents, graduate students, program administrators, and the general public. Here you will find links to educational websites, lists of professional development opportunities and articles, and information about grants and fellowships for educators.

4. Lesson Plans Related to Art and Design

   Format(s): Text, Website

   From the Smithsonian, lesson plans and resources for teaching and learning about American culture, art, history, and other topics.

5. Peace Corps World Wise Schools

   In: Peace Corps Teacher Training Resources Format(s): Website

   Educators use these materials to teach subjects as varied as language arts, social studies, geography, environmental education, and international economics.

6. Creative Classroom Activities

   Format(s): Text

   Creative Classroom Activities is the second of a two-volume anthology of articles published between 1989 and 1993 in English Teaching Forum. Download the e-book or PDF.

7. "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.

8. Teaching Refusals in an EFL Setting

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

   The goals of this lesson in Teaching Pragmatics are: raising awareness that misunderstandings can be caused by differences in performing speech acts between Japanese and Americans; making learners aware of what they know already and encouraging them to use their universal or transferable L1 pragmatic knowledge in L2 contexts; teaching the appropriate linguistic forms that are likely to be encountered in performing speech acts.

9. Making Learning Fun: Interactive Activities To Build Student Motivation and Engagement In Your Classroom

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

   This webinar demonstrates how to spark students’ intrinsic motivation in the English language classroom.

10. Speakers and Task Type: Increasing Awareness of Factors Involved in Speech Act Production

    In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text

    The goal of this article is to increase awareness of the factors that affect the linguistic realization of speech acts in American English.

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