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1. A Story-Based Framework for a Primary School Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   These two story-based lesson plans were designed to address the lack of motivation and interest by students in a sixth grade English class in Greece. The lessons appeal to young learners who want to be creative and imaginative by making learning entertaining. The animal stories are authentic texts, not graded readers, with helpful visuals. They can be used with a holistic approach and provide a springboard to learning grammar and structure and to recycle vocabulary. Predicting and concentration are some of the thinking skills involved.

2. Open Classroom Communication and the Learning of Citizenship Values

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the importance of fostering citizenship values in language classrooms around the world, and specifically in Morocco. Class content, student-teacher roles, classroom activities, and teacher education can promote civic values of equality, respect, responsibility, tolerance, and compassion. A learner-centered environment where there is group work, open communication, and participation, models these values. By including cultural content and engaging students with meaningful issues, teachers can increase interest and motivation.

3. Lesson Plan: Going Green

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The lesson plan, “Going Green,” allows students to develop research and problem-solving skills on the theme of environmental conservation. The lesson includes a glossary of environmental terms. It uses a learner-centered approach as learners work in groups to determine their topic, the vocabulary they want to learn, how to collect information, how to report it (qualitatively or quantitatively), and what action to take based on the results. Students report their findings and action plan in a poster presentation. Creative writing, a debate, or a "green fair" are optional extensions.

4. Going Green: Merging Environmental Education and Language Instruction

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses content-based instruction (CBI) and the theme of environmental awareness in the classroom. It addresses not only recycling and preservation of resources, but also integrating English skills and controversial issues into real-world situations. The article presents teachers with examples of group activities and opportunities for critical thinking and encouraging responsibility among their students.

5. Harmonious Learning: Yoga in the English Language Classroom

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

   The author discusses the connection between yoga and language learning. Body position as well as visualization and guided imagery can introduce language in an enjoyable way. The lessons are modeled after a Total Physical Response (TPR) approach. The benefits of yoga in the classroom include reducing anxiety, helping students focus through silence, and embedding language in tasks. The author answers frequently asked questions and provides sample activities and suggested resources.

6. To the Moon! — A Launch Pad for Encouraging Students to Express Their Opinions

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

   Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. This article outlines an activity that involves developing, communicating, and exploring opinions. Students work individually to select volunteers to go to the moon. Groups then try to agree on the selection, discussing their reasons and assumptions. A number of letter-writing assignments incorporate material from the discussions. This student-centered activity can improve confidence, critical thinking skills, and writing fluency, while students learn from and challenge each other.

7. Instructional Enhancements to Improve Students' Reading Abilities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2013, Volume 51, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article offers five instructional enhancements that help students become better readers. These classroom practices coincide with five key elements of EFL reading instruction: “extensive practice and exposure to print,” “commitment to building student motivation,” “attention to reading fluency,” “vocabulary building,” and “comprehension skills practice and discussion.”

8. Create to Communicate: Sculpture

   In: Create to Communicate: Art Activities for the EFL Classroom Format(s): Text

   This section focused on sculpting contains six lesson plans focusing on yes/no questions, comparatives and superlatives, past and present progressive, and adverbs of frequency.

9. Teacher's Corner: Online Learning

   Format(s): Text

   The Teacher’s Corner this month is all about online learning. This week, we will define terms common in the field of online learning and investigate the pros and cons of using online learning as part of our classroom practice.

10. Teacher's Corner: Integrating Global Affairs into Your English Lessons

    Format(s): Text

    In this month’s Teacher’s Corner, we will showcase four activities that can be used to incorporate world affairs into the English classroom. The goal of these activities is to inspire students to learn more about the larger world and consider how events affect us all.

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