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1. Poems Made Into Songs

   In: Poetry Format(s): MP3

   Students from all over the world participated in poetry writing to celebrate National Poetry Month. Three of the poems were then made into songs! Listen to them or download the MP3s here!

2. Developing Pragmatic Competence in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 3 Format(s): Text

   Pragmatic competence is an important part of communicative competence, yet it is often insufficiently addressed. This article outlines a program of four lessons on the speech acts of openings and closings. Lessons examine dialogues for cultural differences regarding forms of address, abruptness, expected responses, and so on. Students also consider pre-closing phrases, ways to express politeness, and formality. Finally, students expand an artificial dialogue to make it more realistic. Activities include translation, pair work, creative writing, class discussion, and role play.

3. Teaching Techniques: Cultural Introductions by Way of Storytelling

   In: English Teaching Forum 2015, Volume 53, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This introductory lesson is something I have used on the first day of class with students around the globe.

4. Supporting Comprehension and Developing Summative Tasks

   In: Teacher's Corner – Teaching with Authentic Materials Format(s): Text

   This week’s Teacher’s Corner will discuss different strategies for helping students interact with authentic materials and understand their content.

5. The Future is Now: Preparing a New Generation of CBI Teachers

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of Content Based Instruction (CBI) and provides ways that language-teacher education programs can better prepare CBI teachers. The author argues that CBI is particularly relevant now, in the 21st century. The article explains what specific skills are needed to successfully teach using a CBI approach, including Language Proficiency, Academic Skills, Pedagogical Knowledge, and content-language interface skills.

6. Growing Up with TESOL

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article describes influences on the development of English language teaching since the 1970s. It discusses two types of influences. The first influence is external: The increasing demand for efficient TESOL programs as a result of the international role of the English language, which has brought more professionalism and accountability to the field through standards. The second influence is more internal: The desire to expand TESOL’s goals and concerns to better understand the concept of English language teaching, teachers, and their education.

7. Module 8: Authentic Materials

   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 focused on how to choose and use printed texts, images, and multimedia in the classroom.

8. Poems About English and Access (2)

   In: Poetry Format(s): Text

   Part 2: English language learners from all over the world wrote poems about English and their Access programs. Download the poems or read them online.

9. Differentiating Instructions (Online!) for Equity in Learning

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

   The American English Webinar and Facebook Live sessions are hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

10. Effective Assessment Practices for Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning in an Online Environment

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

    The American English Webinar and Facebook Live sessions are hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

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