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Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom

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

"Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom" explores the popularity of illustrated stories among teachers and students alike and offers suggestions on how to use them to “animate” your classes.

Create to Communicate: Art Activities for the EFL Classroom

Format(s): Text

Looking for ways to add art activities to your English language classroom? Create to Communicate is filled with great activities and lessons that use art to foster English language development.

Module 7: Learning Strategies

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 that is focused on language learning and communication strategies.

Module 10: Alternative Assessment

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 that is focused on alternative assessment.

Module 11: Individual Learner Differences

In: Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World Format(s): Text, Video, Website

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series is focused on facilitating learning for a wide variety of students and student needs.

Module 12: Younger Learners (K-5)

In: Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World Format(s): Text, Video, Website

This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series focuses on using teaching techniques that are most effective with younger learners (ages 5-10 or from Kindergarten to Grade 5).

Passion for Life!

In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text, Image / Poster / Maps

In “Passion for Life,” the author promotes the use of drawing to make the classroom a positive and pleasant place. This technique can help even shy students become active. After reading the poem “Life” by Mother Teresa, students choose their favorite line from the poem and draw a picture to represent it. Secondary students are asked to learn the poem by heart.

Using L1 in the L2 Classroom

In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

There may be more to the use of L1 in the L2 classroom than previously thought. Recent findings show that L1 usage values the native culture and language of the students, allowing them to feel comfortable taking risks in English. The author distributed a questionnaire on Spanish usage to English language students and professors at a Puerto Rican university. Results showed that both students and teachers felt there were clear instances where Spanish would help understanding. The author also shares his own personal experiences as a Spanish-speaking English teacher.

The Children's Response: TPR and Beyond

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

This article describes a technique called The Children’s Response, which can be used to teach young EFL learners. The technique is based on Total Physical Response (TPR), which actively involves children from kindergarten to beyond third grade. The article offers three lessons that provide practice with the form and function of the present and past tense as well as prepositions and imperative commands.

Teaching Young Learners