Advanced Search: Resources

1. Assessment of Young Learners

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

   This article discusses how the trend towards low-anxiety, communicative-based language teaching and integrated language and content teaching has created a need to change assessment strategies for young learners. The author describes alternative assessment techniques such as nonverbal responses, oral interview, narratives, group assessment, and dialogue journals, and suggests how they can be carried out through regular classroom work.

2. The White House Interactive Tour

   Format(s): Website

   Have you ever wondered what happens inside the White House? You can through this interactive virtual tour. Visit again and again to: watch exclusive videos; tour the West Wing, Residence, East Wing, and South Lawn; and learn about the use of the White House rooms throughout history.

3. U.S. Coins: Reminders of History and Heritage

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article describes the various US coins, the design, size, and history of coins, coin-making, the US mint, coin production, and the mottos that appear on coins. There is also a section on coin collecting as a hobby, a list of websites about coins, and a glossary of coin terms.

4. The Lighter Side: National Park Symbols

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

   “National Park Symbols” is a matching activity in which students match the symbol of a park activity to its meaning.

5. 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.

6. A Judicious Lesson: A Whole-learning Reading Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of whole-reading activities in a university level reading and speaking course. The author used a magazine article about a murder and a trial to develop a four-week unit in which students investigated ideas about crime, punishment, rhetorical strategies, idiomatic language, and the United States' judicial system. Through the use of this unit, the author advocates for readings and activities that challenge students to move beyond comprehension of a text.

7. VOA Podcast: President Obama Wins Second Term

   In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): Website

   Listen to Voice of America (VOA) Podcast:President Obama Wins Second Term. Podcast from VOA Learning English: News Report in Special English. Stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.

8. Lessons in Life

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

   "Lessons in Life" by Bridgette Bryant and Daniel Ho is a song from the American Rhythms album. Download or listen online.

9. VOA Podcast: Making of a Nation: The Heart of the Constitution

   In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): MP3, Text

   From Voice of America Podcasts in Special English. Take a look at the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Download the MP3 or listen online.

10. Seismic Sleuths

    Format(s): Text, Website, Image / Poster / Maps

    Have you ever wondered what causes earthquakes? The Federal Emergency Management Agency presents a six unit activity package that assesses student knowledge of earthquakes and provides information about preparedness and emergency management.

Pages